How can You Remove Water from Your Ears?

Swimming or running through a sprinkler is a great way to spend a hot summer day. There’s a chance that all of the contact with water could raise the risk of water becoming trapped inside your ears. Some symptoms of water being trapped in your ears are sensations of fullness inside your ear canals, and/or feelings of water moving around in your ears. It can occur in just one or both ears.

If the water doesn’t drain out on its own, this could cause otitis externa, which is more commonly known as swimmer’s ear.

The reason behind Water becoming Trapped inside the Ears

There are several reasons why water can stay stuck inside of your ears. One reason is if a person has narrow ear canals. Another reason could be that there is something that is obstructing the ear canal, like too much earwax or a foreign substance. 

Some People are more likely to Experience this than Others

Children and adults who spend a lot of their time in the water are at a higher risk than others.  Water can get stuck in your ears anytime you submerge yourself in water. If you turn yourself upside down, for example during a flip or handstand, water can become trapped in your ears. 

7 Tips to Remove Water from Your Ears

1. Tilt your head towards the ear that is affected, then lightly tug your earlobe.
2. Move your jaw around by chewing gum or yawning. Afterwards, tip the ear that is affected to the ground and lightly tug your earlobe.
3. Deeply inhale, clamp your nose with your fingers, close your mouth and slowly exhale. This will open your Eustachian tubes and release the water.
4. Lie down on your side for a few minutes. Make sure your affected ear is resting on a towel or pillow. 
5. Securly cup the palm of your hand over your ear. Tip your head to the ground, while gently pushing and releasing the palm of your hand. This will create a suction that will hopefully drain your affected ear.
6. Rest your affected ear on a warm compress or use a hair dryer’s warm air (on the lowest setting) and blow air into the ear canal. Be careful when using heat, and only use this method for a couple of minutes to reduce chances of hearing loss from the noise that the hair dryer produces. 
7. You may use hydrogen peroxide ear drops, which are available in most drug stores. Please be aware that this option should only be used if you do NOT have an ear infection, perforated ear drums, or eardrum tubes.

DO NOT insert any objects in your ear, like cotton swabs, hair pins, or other small objects. This can damage your ears. 

Are there Risks to having Water Trapped in Your Ears?

In some cases there are risks to having water trapped in your ears. Everyone’s ears produce earwax (cerumen), which is waxy and water repellent. In most cases, water will gently fall out on its own. If it doesn’t, this can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could cause swimmer’s ear. 

Bacteria thrive in a wet and humid environment, with an ear canal that is full of scratches and abrasions, or reacting to allergies and other skin diseases.   
 
What are Early Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear?

The following could be mild symptoms swimmer’s ear:

• Clear, odorless fluids draining from the ear
• Itching and redness in the inner ear canal
• Feelings of mild discomfort

Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, or if water has been trapped inside your ears for days or weeks.

Preventative Measures

Wear earplugs that are specially designed to use in water. They might be pricier than the average ear plugs that you get from the drugstore, but they can be customized to fit your ears and they are reusable and washable.

Monitor the Health of Your Ears

If you notice any changes in your hearing, keep a record of it and talk to a hearing healthcare provider. A hearing test can be conducted in order to determine whether or not you are experiencing hearing loss and how severe the loss is. Getting early treatment, with hearing aids or other listening devices, will help you keep the hearing abilities that you still have. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  

Contact Us