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Water Stuck in Your Ears? Here's How to Safely Remove Water From Your Ear

As spring approaches and weather starts to warm up swimming is often a go-to when trying to cool off. While it is a great time to enjoy, all the splashing and diving can occasionally lead to water getting trapped in your ear canal. This feeling is often very uncomfortable, and you may not be able to hear as well when this happens.

When the water does not come out on its own this may lead to Otitis externa, and an ear infection.

So why does this happen?

There are several reasons why water can remain trapped in the ear but here are the two most common reasons:

• A narrow ear canal
• Something blocking the ear canal such as ear wax or another foreign object

Here are a few at-home remedies for removing water from your ear:

1. Gently Shake Your Earlobe

Tilt your head toward the affected ear and gently shake your earlobe at a downward angle. This should look like your are trying to touch your ear to your shoulder.

2. The Yawning Technique

Similar to the first method tilt your head toward the affected ear and move your jaw by yawning while simultaneously shaking your earlobe at a downward angle.

3. Blow Dryer

Please Note: Be sure to not use hottest temperature setting

The warm air from the blow dryer helps the water evaporate inside of your ear. Stat by turning your blow dryer onto the lowest setting and hold it about a foot away from the affected ear. While gently shaking your earlobe, let the air blow into your ear.

4. Laying on Your Side

Lay down  on the affected side for a couple minutes with the ear resting on a towel and let gravity do the rest.

5. Use Your Palm as a Vacuum

This method may be a little tricky, but here's how its done:

Cup the palm of your hand and place it over the affected ear. Once covered, tilt your head toward at downward angle while gently pushing and releasing your palm over your ear. This should create a vacuum releasing some pressure.

6. Use Hydrogen Peroxide Ear drops

Please Note: Only use this method if you do NOT have an outer ear infection, perforated eardrum, or tympanostomy tubes.

Hydrogen peroxide solutions can help clear earwax and debris from you ear canal which may be the cause of water being trapped in your ear.

When to see your Audiologist?

As irritable as it may be, water trapped in your ear usually goes away without any treatment. If the irritation continues and these home remedies are not helping, you should schedule a visit with your local Audiologist.

An ear infection may develop and, in some cases, can become very serious if you do not get the proper treatment for it.