What Should I Do if My Ear Is Full of Water?

Posted on by Ear, Nose & Throat Associates

Almost everyone has experienced that unpleasant sensation of water in the ear. Whether you took an extra-long shower or spent the day at the Northside Park Swimming Pool, knowing how to deal with waterlogged ears is crucial.

Let’s look at a few simple tips to help get water out of your ears and some easy ways to keep it from getting trapped there in the first place.

How To Get Water Out of Your Ears

Young girl at the beach tugging on her ear, trying to get water out.

If you get water in your ears, take the following steps:

  1. Dry the outer ear. Gently pat dry the outer ear using a soft cloth.
  2. Pull on your earlobe. Tilt your head toward the affected ear and gently tug on your earlobe. While tugging on the earlobe, you can rotate your head to help water leave the ear.
  3. Use a blow dryer. Point a blow dryer on the lowest, coldest setting at your ear. Hold the dryer at least one foot away from your ear to prevent hearing damage.

While knowing how to get water out of your ears is important, so is learning how to prevent the water from getting in.

Why Is It Important To Keep Water Out of My Ears?

Excess water in the ears creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. The risk is even greater if the water isn’t clean, as with some lakes or rivers. When bacteria thrive, it can result in a condition called swimmer’s ear.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear. Common symptoms include:

Moderate to severe swimmer’s ear may also present with:

  • Greater pain and itching
  • Muffled hearing
  • Ear and lymph node swelling
  • Fever

To help prevent swimmer’s ear, stick to clean water and keep your ears dry during and after swimming.

How To Keep Water Out of Your Ears

Wearing earplugs while swimming is the best way to keep water out of your ears. You don’t usually need to wear earplugs while you shower unless instructed by your ENT specialist, generally if you have ear canal or eardrum damage.

Custom-made earplugs are an excellent choice for frequent swimmers. These earplugs are molded to fit your ear shape, providing a perfect seal to keep water out.

To learn more about protecting your ears, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today.