Water can infiltrate the ears during a shower, a swim in the pool, a dip at the beach or while cleaning your ears. In most cases, the water flows out of the ears by itself and does not cause any problem.
In some cases, however, water can get stuck in your ear, generating the sensation of plugged or muffled ears. This happens when water flows through the ear canal and settles in the ear. It works its way through gravity into the eardrum and builds up there. Due to trapped water, the eardrum cannot move properly, no longer fully transmitting sound.
The sensation of having water in the ears is common. Water in your ears can lead to a muffled ear sensation, characterized by a rustling noise through the ear canal that sounds or even feels like gurgling to the eardrum. This sensation usually lasts a short time without consequences.
However, when the water does not escape from your ears, it can remain there for days and cause problems such as:
If fresh, salt or chemically-treated swimming pool water gets stuck in your ear, the presence of salt and chlorine could trigger inflammation of the ear canal. This happens because these substances break down the ear’s protective film, making it more vulnerable for pathogens to strike. Furthermore, water in your ears can alter temperature regulation, making your ear canal more vulnerable to the effects of cold during the winter months.
Sometimes we have the sensation of having water in our ears or hearing a sound like water splashing, but we know there is no water. When this happens, it’s worth investigating other possible causes of the water-like sloshing ear sensation you’re experiencing.
Here are some alternative possibilities to the seemingly real presence of water in your ear:
Water in the ear and a sensation of ear blockage are distinct conditions that can often coincide or be perceived concurrently. Water in the ear typically results from fluid accumulation after swimming or exposure to water, whereas a feeling of ear blockage may stem from issues such as earwax buildup or Eustachian tube dysfunction, which regulates ear pressure.
The presence of water in the ear can occasionally exacerbate the sensation of ear blockage, potentially due to changes in ear pressure or irritation of the ear canal. If these symptoms persist or cause significant discomfort, it is advisable to seek evaluation from a healthcare professional for appropriate diagnosis and management.
Experiencing water in your ear accompanied by pain can indicate different underlying issues:
Water in the ear is often caused by fluid accumulation after swimming or exposure to water, creating a moist environment that can lead to discomfort. This condition can sometimes exacerbate the sensation of ear pain due to changes in ear pressure or irritation of the ear canal.
If you're experiencing persistent pain along with water in your ear, it's important to seek medical evaluation. A healthcare professional can assess the situation, determine the cause of the pain, and recommend appropriate treatment to alleviate discomfort and prevent complications.
Water in the ear can affect the sense of balance in some people and cause dizziness. This can happen because the fluid in the inner ear is responsible for balance perception.
If water causes a change in ear pressure or causes irritation, this can affect the sensory perception of balance, causing sensations of unsteadiness or mild vertigo.
Water in the ear and tinnitus are two different conditions that can occur simultaneously or be perceived together. Water in the ear is often caused by the accumulation of fluid after swimming or immersion in water, while tinnitus is audible noises in the ear without an external source, such as buzzing, whistling, or pulsating sounds.
Water in the ear can sometimes temporarily increase the perception of tinnitus due to a change in ear pressure or irritation of the ear canal. If both symptoms persist or cause significant discomfort, a physician should be consulted for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
When you experience water coming out of ear, it could be due to various underlying reasons:
You can try to get water out of your ear in many ways, here are the best ones:
Water in your ear not only can create unpleasant ear pain but can also be dangerous if it remains stuck in the ear for a long period of time. If ear inflammation has already occurred, it is strongly recommended to book an appointment with a hearing care specialist, who will recommend the correct treatment for you.
In babies and children, water in the ears can lead to ear inflammation, which is likely to develop more quickly than in adults as their Eustachian Tubes are shorter and more narrow and their immune system is not ready to deal with such conditions. If the water contains germs and keeps the baby's ear canal moist, otitis media can develop.
In the case of tympanic effusion, on the other hand, a liquid forms inside the ear and collects behind the eardrum. Most of the time, this condition may also bring ear pain in the affected person. Tympanic effusion is more common in young children, and it must be treated quickly as it can be painful and may also lead to hearing loss.
If you have water trapped in your ear, it can be uncomfortable and potentially lead to an infection. Here are some quick remedies for getting water out of your ear:
To remove water from your ears after swimming, you can try some of the following techniques:
If these techniques do not work and water gets trapped, or if you experience pain, itching, or hearing loss, you should consult a doctor to avoid complications such as otitis.
Using the wrong methods for getting water out of your ears can scratch your ear canal, impact earwax in the canal or worse. Avoid the following methods for drying out your ears, or you will be more likely to get an infection.
If you notice the water does not come out of the ear using the methods outlined above and gets stuck, you must be careful. A sudden movement while using objects like cotton swabs and Q-Tips in your ear could cause severe and persistent ear pain.
It's never a good idea to stick anything into your ear canal. By using cotton swabs, you risk pushing earwax deeper or removing earwax that would otherwise be protective to your ear. Sharp objects and fingernails can also scratch the skin of the ear canal.
If water remains inside your ear and the sensation of muffled hearing persists for several days, it is likely the earwax inside the ear canal has absorbed some of the water, enlarging and obstructing the ear. Some of the risks include:
Water stuck inside the ear can result in an ear infection called otitis externa, also known as Swimmer's Ear. This ear infection manifests itself through the following symptoms:
Therefore, it is important to prevent water from remaining in the ears for a long duration of time. If you think you have otitis externa, see a hearing specialist right away for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Here are some tips to prevent water from entering your ear and getting stuck:
If the self-care tips in this article do not resolve the issue and the water in your ear remains, have your ears checked by your healthcare provider or hearing care specialist, who may be able to drain the water and dry the ear canal, if necessary. If the water remains stuck in ear for a long time, it can make its way deeper into your ear, even up to the eardrum, resulting in possible complications. Our advice to you is to dry your ears out as quickly as possible at the first sign of water being present.
Experiencing ear pain in addition to the feeling of muffled ear can be symptoms of Swimmer's Ear. So it is important to book an appointment with your healthcare provider or hearing care professional as soon as possible.
When water enters your ears, it can remain for a couple of days before making its way out. On the other hand, if your earwax barrier is compromised and not properly protecting your ear canal, water can remain longer.
The warm-humid environment of your ear canal also accelerates the risk of bacteria growth. If the water is still trapped after 2 to 3 days or if you show signs of infection, you should call your doctor as soon as possible.
Specific ear drops for water removal can protect the pH value of the ear and help avoid possible inflammation deriving from contact with water.
If the water gets stuck in your ear and the muffled ear sensation remains after a couple of days, it is likely that a plug of wax has formed inside the ear. This earwax buildup may be treated with ear drops or sprays formulated to soften and drain the buildup. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using ear drops to ensure you’re using the best option for removing water from your ear.
Yes, water trapped in the ear can cause an infection, commonly known as swimmer's ear (otitis externa). This happens because the moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria or fungi to grow.
Symptoms include itchiness, redness, and discomfort or pain, especially when touching or pulling on the earlobe. If you suspect an infection, it's important to see a doctor for proper treatment.
