Are you sometimes bothered by water getting trapped in your ear during swimming or other water sports? It can even happen when you take a shower or bath! Why does water sometimes get trapped in your ear? What consequences might this have? How do you get the water out of your ear and what can you do to prevent it from happening in the first place? Read on to find out!
Why does water sometimes get trapped in your ear?
When you shower, swim or play water sports, it's easy for water to get into your ear. Most of the time, the water drains out naturally. But sometimes, water gets stuck in the ear canal – the passage that runs from your outer ear to your eardrum. The ear canal is basically S-shaped, but its exact shape and size vary from person to person. If you have a very narrow ear canal, you're more likely to get water trapped in your ear. A build-up of earwax (cerumen) can also cause water to become trapped in your ear.
Did you know that...
...earwax is water repellent? Because of this, earwax usually helps water to drain from your ear on its own. Earwax also helps keep the pH level in the ear canal at a healthy level – between 5 and 5.7 – which is essential for preventing the growth of bacteria.
Water in your ear after swimming or water sports
It's not unusual to get water in your ear, but it's more common among people who spend a lot of time in the water, like avid swimmers and surfers. Diving or doing a handstand underwater places more pressure on your ears, increasing the chances of water getting stuck.
Water in your ear after showering
Water can get trapped in your ear after showering too, especially when you wash your hair or just get your head wet. You can prevent this by wearing a shower cap, or earplugs when you shampoo and rinse!
What are the consequences of water in your ear?
You may be wondering if the water trapped in your ear could be harmful. In most cases, there's nothing to worry about. Having a bit of water in your ear may make your ears feel unpleasantly 'full' and it can also temporarily affect your hearing, but it's usually harmless. That said, it is important to make sure the water doesn't stay in your ear for too long.
What can happen if water stays in your ear too long?
When water gets stuck in the ear canal, it can cause an ear infection. Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) commonly occurs after swimming or doing water sports in open water, where bacteria levels are higher than in tap water. The warm, moist environment of your ear canal then provides the perfect conditions for these bacteria to multiply. The symptoms of swimmer's ear usually start to appear a couple of days after exposure, and the first sign is often that sounds seem muffled. The ear canal may become itchy as the infection develops and the entire ear will often become red. The infection can also cause ear pain and, in some cases, fluid may come out of your ear.
If you suspect you have an ear infection, you should contact your GP immediately. The sooner you seek treatment, the more effective the treatment will be.
How do I get water out of my ear?
As we've already mentioned, the water in your ear will usually drain out without you having to do anything. But if it remains trapped in your ear canal, there are a few things you can try to remove it:
#1. Let gravity do its work
Lie on your side for a few minutes with the affected ear facing down. This will often cause the water to drain out on its own.
#2. Tug on your earlobe
If the water doesn't budge, gently pull and wiggle your earlobe while tilting your head towards your shoulder.
#3. Move your jaw
The jaw joint (articulatio temporomandibularis) is connected to the ear canal, so yawning, chewing and other jaw movements can be an effective way to get water out of your ear.
#4. Create a vacuum
Tilt the affected ear towards your shoulder and cover it with the palm of your hand. Press your flattened hand against your ear and then cup it slightly to move it away from your ear. Perform this action quickly several times while tilting your head to allow the water to drain from your ear.
#5. Try the Valsalva technique
Close your mouth and pinch your nose, then exhale gently. This briefly increases the pressure in the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat that connects the nose to the mouth), which pushes air through the Eustachian tube (the canal that connects the middle ear to the throat and nose). This is an effective way to remove any water trapped behind the eardrum. Divers often use this technique to equalise the pressure in their ears. It can also be helpful if your ears are blocked and painful due to the change in pressure when flying.
What if the water won't come out?
In the rare case that none of these tips work, contact your GP. You should also contact your GP if you think you might be developing an ear infection.
Whatever you do, you should never try to remove the trapped water by inserting fingers, cotton buds or other objects into your ear. This will increase the risk of infection. If you have a build-up of earwax, poking something into your ear can make the blockage worse.
How to stop water from getting trapped in your ears
Fortunately, preventing water from getting into your ears is fairly straightforward. Here are our tips:
- Use swimming earplugs while swimming or doing water sports
Alpine has two types of swimming earplugs that are specifically designed to prevent water from entering your ears during swimming or water sports: Alpine SwimSafe earplugs and Alpine WaterSafe Pro earplugs. We've developed Alpine Pluggies Kids for children's smaller ear canals and these are suitable for children aged 3 to 12.
- Wear a swimming cap
While good swimming earplugs are very effective in preventing water from getting into your ears, a swimming cap will give you an extra layer of protection. Swimming caps are available in a variety of materials, from silicone to latex, not to mention a huge choice of colours and designs. You can even have your own customised swimming cap printed! A swimming cap has the added benefit of keeping your hair dry, reducing its exposure to saltwater or chlorine, so it's less likely to become damaged.
- Dry off excess water immediately
Get into the habit of drying your outer ear with a towel as soon as you get out of the water or shower. Allow any water that may be in your ears to drain out by lying on your side for a moment or two, switching sides to make sure both ears are clear.
In summary
Having trapped water in your ears is never pleasant and it can sometimes even cause problems. Fortunately, with the right swimming earplugs and proper ear care, it's easy to prevent!
