DD2-4yrs off nursery again

[FlyMeToDunoon]

She tends to get earache, partly because she is that age and gets lots of colds and partly because her ears take a long time to drain after any infection.
However the severe earaches tend to come along after a bath and hairwashing. I am guessing that water in the ears irritates them?
I can't hold off washing all winter long so are there any tips for avoiding the earache-earplugs? Dreadlocks?

my brother had problems with his ears as a chiled and the doctor told my mum to put cotton wool in his ears, then a nice layer of vaseline over it (to waterproof it)
worked a treat

Ok thanks.