Water in the ear

Most people are familiar with the problem: when visiting an outdoor swimming pool in the summer, after a dip in the pool or whilst showering, you suddenly get a strange sensation in your ear. It tickles or feels blocked, and your hearing suddenly seems somewhat muffled. The reason is easy to spot: water in the ear.

Usually, this is completely harmless, as the water usually drains out of the ear by itself. But what if it doesn’t? Is water in the ear dangerous? And what tricks can help it drain out of the ear canal? We’ll tell you all about it in this article.

What is water in the ear and how does it get in?

Water usually gets into the ear whilst bathing, diving or swimming. The water enters the ear, then flows through the ear canal to the eardrum and becomes trapped there, meaning it does not flow out again. The initial consequence is a loss of hearing. If the water remains in the ear for a long time, it can also soften the earwax. Our earwax serves to keep out dirt and bacteria. This also applies to water. In fact, earwax is water-repellent and usually ensures that the water drains out again. However, if there is a lot of water, the cerumen - the technical term - softens or swells. It blocks the ear canal and, in the worst case, bacteria can accumulate, causing an ear infection (otitis), external ear infection (otitis externa) or middle ear infection (otitis media). An infection of the ear canal following swimming is therefore also referred to as swimmer’s ear.

Symptoms and signs of water in the ear

The symptoms of water in the ear usually appear immediately after it enters the ear, often whilst bathing, showering or swimming. Sometimes, however, they only appear later.

Those affected often first notice a tickling or itching sensation in the ear, and frequently a feeling of pressure. Another typical sign of water in the ear is reduced hearing. Those affected then hear sounds only ‘muffled’, as the water blocks the eardrum, preventing it from vibrating properly. Sound is therefore no longer transmitted optimally. In rare cases, complete hearing loss may occur. The symptoms can affect either one or both ears. If the ear canal becomes inflamed due to water in the ear, pain or severe pain may also occur.

Possible consequences, dangers and risks

If you notice that you have water in your ear but it does not drain out on its own, you should seek medical advice. This is because if the water remains in the ear for too long, or if too much water has accumulated in the ear, this can lead to potential complications. These include, for example, middle ear infection or inflammation of the ear canal. These occur because pathogens, viruses and bacteria can also accumulate in the ear along with the water. Water in swimming pools or lakes in particular can contain high levels of these pathogens. The water in the ear prevents our earwax from properly transporting these pathogens out of the ear.

Although ear infections are often easily treatable, they can be very painful and, in the worst case, lead to permanent hearing loss.

That is why it is best not to let it get that far and to take steps from the outset to avoid getting water in your ears. This applies particularly to people who spend a lot of time in the water: swimmers, divers, surfers or other water sports enthusiasts, and children in general. Below you can find out more about prevention.

Prevention: preventing water in the ear

Water in the ear is not always dangerous. In most cases, it drains out on its own. Nevertheless, especially if you are particularly sensitive in your ears or prone to inflammation, you can try to prevent water from entering your ear, for example by following these tips:

• Wear a swimming cap: Especially when swimming and diving, in a swimming pool, the sea or a lake, it is advisable to wear a swimming cap that also covers your ears. Even when showering, a swimming cap can help prevent water from getting into your ears. As well as swimming caps, there are also special swimming headbands. Usually made of soft neoprene, they are also water-repellent and particularly suitable for children.
  

• Use earplugs: If you’d rather do without a swimming headband and swimming cap, you can also bathe or swim with earplugs. Important: Don’t just use any old earplugs, but special earplugs designed for swimmers. Thanks to their material and ergonomic shape, these offer a secure fit, comfort and optimal protection against water.
  

• Try to avoid getting water in your ears: Admittedly, this isn’t that easy, especially if you enjoy swimming and do so often. But the right swimming technique can help. Try to position your head whilst swimming so that your ears have as little contact with the water as possible.
  And a little care can also be helpful when showering, bathing or washing your hair. You should also ensure that no shampoo gets into your ear when washing your hair. Hair care and styling products such as hairspray and the like can further irritate the ear canal.
  

• Dry your ears properly: A simple but effective tip: after swimming, bathing or showering, you should dry yourself and your ears, ideally with a soft towel. This helps prevent water from getting in later, for example from wet hair.
  
  
• Proper ear hygiene: Gentle cleaning of your ears is important to avoid injury. It can also help prevent water from getting into your ear. Do not use cotton buds. These can push earwax further into the ear canal, where it builds up and makes it harder for water to drain out.

If, despite these precautions, water does get into your ear, we have provided a few tips and immediate measures below that may help in this situation.

Tips for water in the ear: first aid, home remedies and medical treatment

Whether you’re swimming, having a bath, taking a shower or doing water sports: it does happen that water gets into your ear and doesn’t drain out on its own.

If you notice that you have water in your ear, there are various tricks and first-aid measures that can help the water drain out gently. We have summarised a few for you:

1. Tilt your head to the side towards your shoulder whilst pulling on your earlobe. Sometimes it can also help to hop up and down whilst doing this.
2. Lie down for a while, on the side of the affected ear.
3. Yawn or chew. Jaw movements can help clear blockages in the ear
4. Place your flat hand over your ear, press gently and then release. This creates a vacuum or suction, which can help the water drain from your ear. Repeat this process a few times if necessary.
5. Use a hairdryer to dry your ear. Important: the hairdryer must not be set too hot or too strong. It should also be held far enough away from the ear, at least 30 cm.

If none of these methods help, you should consult an ENT specialist. They can use special techniques to suction out the fluid and carefully remove the earwax, or prescribe medication or ear drops if necessary.

As a general rule: if you have water in your ear and it does not drain out by itself, cannot be removed, or if you experience pain or hearing loss due to water in your ear, you should always see a doctor. This will help you avoid any potential long-term damage.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions on the topic of “water in the ear”

What helps with water in the ear?

There are a few simple and effective tricks that can help with water in the ear, for example

:- Lie on the same side as the ear where you notice water for a while. This is often enough for it to

drain out- Tilt your head slightly to one side, gently pulling on the earlobe of the affected ear. It may also help to hop up and down to help the water come out

.- Create a vacuum in the ear by gently pressing your flat hand against the ear and then releasing it

.- Dry your ear carefully with a towel or a hairdryer. However, the hairdryer should not be set too hot or too strong, and should also be held far enough away from the ear so that the air is not uncomfortable.

- See a doctor. If you have earache or hearing problems that could be related to water in the ear, you should definitely see an ENT specialist. They will determine the correct treatment, such as suctioning out the fluid or prescribing ear drops.

How long does water stay in the ear?

If water gets into the ear - for example, whilst swimming or doing water sports, or whilst bathing, showering or washing your hair - it usually flows straight back out of the ear by itself. However, sometimes the water can become trapped in the ear. It may take a few days for it to clear. If the fluid does not drain away on its own, or if the water in the ear causes pain or hearing problems, you should make an appointment with an ENT specialist as soon as possible for a check-up.

Is water in the ear harmful?

Water in the ear is generally only harmful if it remains trapped in the ear for a prolonged period and cannot drain out. This condition makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to multiply and cause infections. These infections can lead to painful ear infections such as swimmer’s ear, an inflammation of the ear canal. In the worst case, these infections can in turn result in hearing loss.