Why do water polo players wear a water helmet?

Question

Why do water polo players wear a water helmet?

Answer 1

1.  It is to identify players and the team they are on (different colors for different teams, another color for goalies)

2.  Ear guards on the helmet help prevent injury --  sometimes a hard thrown ball can "blind side" a player catching them painfully on the side of the head.  Believe me, this hurts!

Answer 2

its to make sure no one screws up their ears, and you can tell who is on what team