FINIS, Inc., a worldwide leader in technical swimming innovation, is excited to announce the launch of the SwimEars® watertight acoustic earplugs.

These revolutionary earplugs are designed to let sound in and keep water out.

The SwimEars® were originally designed by Christian Dittrich and his team at Ear Labs in Sweden. His team of specialists spent over 1,000 hours designing, developing and prototyping the product to create an innovative, new earplug.

“Our mission is to help swimmers protect their ears while staying connected to their environment,” says Dittrich, “Improving safety in open water and making it easier to communicate with their coach or fellow swimmers.”

The SwimEars® have proved to be successful in all elements, from icy cold winter swells in Sweden to the tropical surf in Barbados. The earplug design helps block water, cold air, dirt and bacteria to prevent ear inflammation and bone growth in the ear canal; the respective causes of swimmer’s ear and surfer’s ear. The product comes with customizable pieces to fit all ear sizes.

“Being able to hear while swimming – in Open Water as in the pool – it is of great importance to have a comfortable and safe experience in the water and the SwimEars® opens up a completely new dimension,” says Ear Labs partner and Danish Open Water Champion, Hans Henrik Heming.

This innovative earplug will help simplify swimming for both swimmers and coaches alike, easing the means of communication and increasing acoustic awareness. Unlike typical earplugs that block out all noise, the SwimEars® make it easy for coaches to communicate with their athletes, and increase open water swimmers awareness of their surroundings.

“When I first learned about the SwimEars®, I knew it was a device that would fit perfectly in our product line,” says FINIS CEO and Cofounder, John Mix, “Here at FINIS our primary responsibility is to simplify swimming and the SwimEars® do exactly that for all swimmers and coaches.”

The ability for a coach to communicate with swimmers is essential according to six-time Ironman World Champion, Dave Scott.

“When I put it on my swimmers that I’m coaching, they can actually hear my voice,” says Scott, “The clarity of my voice is really succinct, and I can give them stroke instructions without the noise (of my voice) completely canceled out.”

“I think you’re going to find this device is very multipurpose; this is not your regular earplug.”