Hydrophobic ear plugs

Abstract

Ear plugs for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and other water related activities form a watertight seal within an individual's outer ear canals. The ear plugs have a lumen extending along the ear canal. A hydrophobic membrane extending across the lumen, which admits air into or out of the ear canal but blocks water, seals the ear against water but transmits air. This passage of air equalizes pressure across the plug, improves hearing with the ear plug in place, and prevents water contaminants, such as harmful infectious agents and pollutants, from entering the ear canal.