Ever had water get stuck in your ear after swimming, showering, or playing water sports? It happens more often than you might think! Why does water sometimes stay trapped in your ear? What problems can it cause? And how can you get it out—or better yet, prevent it from getting stuck in the first place? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why does water get trapped in your ear?
When you swim, shower, or do water activities, water can easily enter your ear. Most of the time, it drains out naturally. But sometimes, water gets stuck in the ear canal—the passage that runs from your outer ear to your eardrum. Your ear canal is S-shaped, but its exact shape and size vary from person to person. If you have a narrow ear canal, you're more likely to experience trapped water. A buildup of earwax can also make it harder for water to drain.
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 happens if water stays in your ear too long?
You might wonder if trapped water is harmful. In most cases, it's just annoying—it can make your ear feel full and temporarily affect your hearing. But if the water stays in your ear for too long, it can lead to an infection.
When water gets stuck in your ear canal, it creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria can grow. This can lead to swimmer’s ear (otitis externa), an infection that often happens after swimming in lakes, oceans, or pools with high bacteria levels. Symptoms usually appear a few days after exposure and may include:
- Muffled hearing
- Itching inside the ear
- Redness and swelling
- Ear pain
- Fluid discharge
If you think you have an ear infection, see a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner it’s treated, the better.
How do I get water out of my ear?
Most of the time, water will drain on its own. If it doesn’t, here are a few tricks to help:
#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
Gently pull and wiggle your earlobe while tilting your head toward your shoulder. This can help shift the water out.
#3. Move your jaw
Yawning, chewing, or opening and closing your mouth can help move the ear canal, allowing water to escape.
#4. Create a vacuum
Tilt your head to the side, press your palm over your ear to create a seal, then quickly lift your hand away to create suction. Repeat a few times while keeping your head tilted.
#5. Try the Valsalva maneuver
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 equalize 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?
If none of these tricks work or you develop pain or swelling, contact a doctor.
Whatever you do, you should never try to remove the trapped water by inserting fingers, cotton swabs (Q-Tip’s) 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
The best way to avoid trapped water is to take simple precautions. 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 swim 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. Swim caps are available in a variety of materials, from silicone to latex, not to mention a huge choice of colors and designs. You can even have your own customized 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 your ears 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.
The bottom line
Having water stuck in your ear isn’t fun, and it can sometimes lead to problems. But with the right earplugs and a little ear care, it’s easy to prevent!
