It can be annoying when you get water in your ear, and it will not come out. In some cases, it can also lead to an infection known as swimmer’s ear or otitis externa. This condition can lead to ear pain, swelling, and sometimes hearing loss. So how do we get the water out of our ears?
DON’T use Q-Tips. The skin in your ear canal is very fragile and you can rough it up, possibly causing bleeding and/or infection. Remember, nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear! Usually, water in the ear canal dries on its own, but sometimes it can become trapped behind wax or if your ear canal is very curvy it makes it hard to come out on its own. If it stays trapped for too long, bacteria can grow, resulting in an ear infection. To help the water come out, you can try tilting your head, ear down. You can also tug on your ear lobe, while tilting, trying to straighten the ear canal out. You can use a hairdryer on the lowest setting and hold it about a foot from your ear. You can purchase over the counter drops, such as Swim Ear and use them after showering or swimming. These drops are alcohol based. You can make your own solution. A few drops of equal parts of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide will not only dry the ear out but will work on wax at the same time! Only use drops if you do not have a perforated ear drum and if getting moisture in your ear does not cause pain.
If you have any questions about water in your ears, contact us at Gardner Audiology. If you schedule an appointment, we can look in your ears and also screen your hearing. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our 9 locations. Call 800-277-1182 or email info@gardneraudiology.com.
