there has to be another way

mark anthony seems to be recovering from his tonsils, adenoid, and ear tube surgery really well.
except, he has to wear ear plugs every time he gets in the bath or swims. so at least once a day, i have to terrorize him.
it has been 3 weeks now, so i would have hoped that by now he would be used to the idea, that he wouldnt be scared of them, that he would know they didnt hurt him, and that they kept the water out of his ears, therefore making him feel better.
yeah, that would be nice.
he HATES those things.
ear plugs, ear protectors, whatever we try to call them. it doesnt work.
we have him some really cool ones, macks ear plugs for kids. they dont go in his ear, they are like playdo and the just smoosh flat to form a seal. they are bright orange.
when we go back for his post-op with the friendly doc who i had to beat answers out of at the hospital right after surgery, i am gonna ask him if there is another way. can i just forgo the ear plugs and then put a drop of something in there? can i just use a blow dryer on cool after bathing? anything.
my fish boy who loves to swim and bath and shower has screamed every day and it takes him at least 10 minutes to calm down after putting them in for him to enjoy his bath or swimming.