Ear tubes are commonly inserted in children to treat recurrent ear infections. While children with ear tubes are often advised to avoid water exposure, recent research finds this may not be necessary. A 1998 study found that for children swimming at surface level in treated water, using earplugs, antibiotic ear drops, or avoiding swimming had no effect on ear infection frequency. A 2014 study confirmed the risk of ear infections increases with swimming more than 5 feet below the surface or in untreated water. For normal surface swimming, earplugs and other accessories are generally not needed to prevent infections or complications, allowing children to enjoy the pool without annoying accessories.