Water stuck in ear: how to get rid of it? Tips and home remedies

Water stuck in ear: what to do?

The sensation of having water in the ears is common to everyone, after a shower and, especially in the summer, after a swim in the pool or the sea. This can lead to a muffled ear sensation, which often lasts a short time without consequences. However, when the water does not come out of the ears correctly, it can remain there for days and cause problems such as ear inflammation.

Common causes: What causes water in the ear?

Water in the ear can result from a variety of activities and environmental factors:

Swimming: A frequent cause of water entering the ear canal, particularly during the summer.
Showering or bathing: Routine hygiene practices can also result in water becoming trapped in the ear.
Environmental factors: High humidity or immersion in unclean water heightens the risk.

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Why does water get stuck in your ear?

Usually, water accumulates in the ear during a shower, bath or through swimming. The water flows into your ear duct and can sometimes generate the characteristic muffled sound.

This is because water floods the ear canal and settles in the ear.It works its way through the slightly sloping ear canal to the eardrum. Due to trapped water, the eardrum cannot move properly and no longer transmits sound completely. That's why you only hear muffled noises accompanied by a low gurgle.

What signs indicate water in the ear?

You will typically hear it rushing and gurgling through the ear canal until it reaches the eardrum. At that point, you will only hear on that side as if through a cotton wool ball. The sounds are muffled and you may also feel dizzy.

Noise and gurgling in the ear canal

When water enters the ear, you may often hear a whooshing or gurgling sound within the ear canal. This sound is caused by the water moving around inside the ear canal and possibly pressing against the eardrum.

Feeling of cotton wool in the ear

A clear indication of water in the ear is a stuffy sensation, as if the ear were filled with cotton wool. This symptom arises when the water obstructs the normal sound pathway and impairs sound transmission.

Muffled hearing

Those affected often report a dull hearing sensation on the impacted side. The water in the ear alters sound transmission, causing sounds to appear muffled or distorted.

Possible dizziness

In some cases, the presence of water in the ear can cause dizziness. This happens when the sense of balance in the inner ear is affected by the pressure or change in volume of the water.

Other hearing disorders and diseases

Find out about other hearing disorders and diseases

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How to get rid of water in ear?

When water enters the ear, it typically closes off and then reopens on its own after a brief period. If this does not occur, the simplest method to remove the water is to tilt your head to one side and jump on one leg. While doing so, gently shake your head. If this approach is ineffective, consider exploring other methods and techniques to get the water out of your ear.

Using a hairdryer

Using a hairdryer can also effectively dry the ear canal and eliminate water inside the ears. However, certain precautions are necessary, such as maintaining a sufficient distance between the hairdryer and the ear, and setting it to the lowest heat level to avoid burns and other related issues.

The ear can be dried using a hairdryer, allowing the trapped fluid to evaporate. The warm, dry air turns the water into steam, helping to dissolve the fluid. To do this, gently pull the earlobe down and ensure the hairdryer is not too close to the ear to prevent burns.

Set the hairdryer to warm and the airflow to low, then blow air directly towards the ear canal for approximately 30 seconds. Repeat if necessary. Note: Do not use this method for more than 2 minutes at a time, and if it becomes too hot, stop the process immediately.

Be careful with sharp objects

It is extremely important to avoid sharp objects such as cotton swabs as they can injure the eardrum. Even small injuries can cause dizziness or middle ear infections.

Paper tissue

One home remedy to remove water from the ear canal is to roll up a piece of tissue paper and place it carefully into the ear canal. The tissue can absorb the water effectively. Alternatively, gently insert the corner of a tissue into the ear canal to absorb the water. It's important to ensure the tissue is not too thick to avoid irritating the ear canal walls.

Vacuum

Position the affected ear downwards and cover it with your hand. Gently squeeze and release your hand to create a vacuum, which can assist in drawing out the water. This technique should be performed cautiously to prevent any discomfort.

Earlobe plucking

This method is especially useful when you are on the move. The individual tilts their head to the side, positioning the affected ear towards the ground, and gently pulls the earlobe back and forth several times. This shaking motion helps to dislodge the fluid so that it can drain away naturally.

Ear drops

Special ear drops can help to flush the ear and also relieve pain. You can get advice from your pharmacist.

Ear candles

Ear candle therapy can create a negative pressure in the ear, which can help loosen water and facilitate its drainage. However, ear candles are not appropriate for treating a blockage caused by ear wax, and therefore should not be used to remove water from the ears either.

When to see a doctor?

If the suggested methods do not resolve the water in your ear, it is important to promptly schedule an appointment with your ENT specialist. They can safely drain the water and dry the ear canal. Prolonged exposure of the ears to water can lead to fluid reaching deep into the ear, potentially causing complications and illnesses.

It's crucial for the ear to dry promptly. If water has been trapped in the ear for days, it may have caused swelling of the earwax, affecting hearing. This should also be addressed by an ENT specialist to restore unrestricted hearing. Water in the ear not only causes discomfort and pain but can also pose risks if left unresolved for an extended period. If there are signs of ear inflammation, it is highly advisable to consult your GP or otolaryngologist promptly.

What can happen if water remains in the ear?

Water in the ear should normally drain on its own. However, if a dull feeling persists for several days, it may indicate that the water has caused the earwax in the ear canal to swell, causing a feeling of fullness in the ear. In this case, it is advisable to see an ENT doctor.

Earache

If you still have water in your ear or have had it recently and are currently suffering from ear pain, this is an alarm signal for an ear canal infection or exostosis and an appointment with an ENT doctor is urgent. Pain and itching in the ear can indicate an infection in the ear caused by germs in the water.

If necessary, the ENT doctor can prescribe an antibiotic and drain the remaining water from the ear. Failure to treat these warning signals when they occur can, in the worst case, lead to hearing loss.

Middle ear infection (otitis media)

If water remains in the ear and an infection occurs, otitis media may develop. This is especially common in children. Symptoms of otitis media include ear pain, fever, pressure in the ear, and possibly purulent discharge. Medical treatment with antibiotics may be necessary to fight the infection and prevent possible complications.

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)

Swimmer's ear is a painful condition in which infection, inflammation or irritation of the ear occurs after swimming if water gets trapped in it. It is a common disorder among swimmers. Swimmer's ear symptoms may include itching, pain and reduced hearing quality.

External auditory canal exostosis

Water in the ear can also lead to exostosis, a condition in which bony growths appear in the ear canal. This can cause symptoms such as pressure in the ear, hearing loss, and recurrent infections. Surgical removal of the exostoses may be necessary to relieve discomfort.

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What happens if water gets into baby's ear?

In babies and children, ear inflammation caused by water entry can develop more rapidly because their Eustachian tube is shorter and narrower and their immune systems are not yet as strong as that of an adult. So, if water containing germs flows into the baby's ear from the outside and keeps the ear canal moist, otitis media can quickly develop.

Tympanic effusion, on the other hand, is wheb a liquid forms inside the ear and collects behind the eardrum. Most of the time, an effusion from the tympanic cavity causes pain in the affected person. Tympanic effusions are more common in young children and should be treated quickly in any case as they can lead to pain and decreased hearing.

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How to avoid getting water in your ears

If you are fond of swimming or diving, swimming earplugs can prevent water from entering your ear and its possible complications. The silicone earplugs, are the most suitable: they protect the ear from water penetration. There are waterproof earplugs for adults on one side and special earplugs for children on the other to protect the ears from water penetration. High-quality earplugs seal the ear canals watertight, hold their shape and let sounds pass while preventing water from entering.

To avoid any inflammation, ear drops with glycerin and alcohol, which protect the pH value of the ear, are particularly suitable. They are great for divers, sailors or lovers of water sports. Too intensive cleaning of the ears is to be avoided in order not to damage the natural protective film inside the ear. For adequate ear hygiene a little hot water is more than enough. Cotton swabs are not recommended at this juncture: their use, in fact, can push a cap already present even deeper into the duct, blocking the water more and making it difficult to extract.

Hearing aids and water in the ear

For hearing aid wearers, moisture and water present special challenges as they can affect performance. Waterproof hearing aids with special coatings or seals are designed to prevent moisture ingress. These are particularly suitable for active people who wear their hearing aids while exercising or outdoors. However, it is important to note that these hearing aids are not completely waterproof and are not suitable for swimming or showering.

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