Hundreds of thousands of PROPLUGS are in use today to protect children. After ventilation tube operations on the ears, shampoo and soap lower surface tension and allow dirty water to pass through ventilation tubes, infecting the middle ear. PROPLUGS help prevent this from occurring. Since 1977, when DOC'S PROPLUGS were first created, their patented design has been recognized by professionals and patients alike as having the most features in respect to comfort and protection.