Causes
Water getting stuck in your ear is a common occurrence, and there are several potential causes that can lead to this issue. Most often, it’s caused by swimming, showering, or too much humidity in the air. It can also be caused by smaller objects, such as ear buds getting stuck in the ear canal. It can also be caused by an infection or another medical condition.
In this article, we’ll take a look at these potential causes in more detail:
Swimming
Swimming, especially in pools with heavily chlorinated water, can cause a buildup of fluid in the ear that leads to canal blockage. This condition is known as swimmer’s ear and it can cause muffled hearing and stuffiness in the ear. In addition, water causes bacterial imbalances, which can lead to ear infections.
To reduce the risk of this condition, use an over-the-counter swimming earplugs or a home-made solution like:
- One part white vinegar
- One part rubbing alcohol
before or after swimming in pools with heavy chlorine or saltwater.
Showering
Showering is one of the most common causes of water getting into the ear. During a shower, water can splash or run up your ear. When this happens repeatedly, it can accummulate and cause water to remain in your ear after the shower is over. If soap products are used during bathing, they can block the passage to the ear and further increase the chance of fluid collecting in there.
To help prevent this issue when showering, try tilting you head away from the flow of water while shampooing or soaping yourself. It’s also helpful to use cotton swabs to dry out any remaining moisture that may have gotten inside your outer ear canal after a shower.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are a common cause of water in the ear. They occur when fluid and debris become trapped in the ear canal, allowing bacteria or viruses to grow. Symptoms may include itching, ringing in the ears, discharge from the ear and reduced hearing.
If an infection is present, you may need to see a doctor for treatment with antibiotics or other medications. In cases of chronic or recurrent infections, or for conditions such as swimmer’s ear, a CT scan may be recommended to identify possible causes or underlying issues.
Symptoms
Water in your ear is a common issue that many people experience from time to time. It is a condition where water accumulates in the ear canal and becomes trapped, leading to discomfort and possibly hearing loss.
Common symptoms of water in the ear include:
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Itching
- Pain
Additionally, dizziness, nausea, and ringing in the ears may also occur.
Let’s look at each symptom in more detail.
Earache
One of the most common signs that you may have water trapped in your ear is an earache. If the water has become trapped and bacteria are present, an ear infection can then develop, causing an earache. The pain may feel sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, depending on the level of infection. Typically, this discomfort is focused around the outer ear area, in the area surrounding your jawbone.
Other symptoms associated with an earache due to water in your ears may include:
- A ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness
- A feeling of fullness inside your ears.
In some cases it can also cause loss of hearing.
Ear Pressure
Ear pressure and fullness are common symptoms when there is fluid remaining in your ear after a cold, sore throat or other illness. Other symptoms can include a muffled sensation or sound in your ear as well as difficulty hearing, and you may feel like you are underwater. If left untreated, this can also cause ringing in the ears, vertigo and ear pain.
These symptoms can be caused by several factors including something stuck in the ear canal, blockage from overproduction of wax or infection from bacteria living in the middle ear. An examination by your doctor can help diagnose the issue and rule out other more serious conditions such as Acoustic Injury and Meniere’s Syndrome. With an accurate diagnosis, treatment options can range from:
- Flushing with warm water
- Medication
- Surgical removal of accumulated fluids
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is one of the most common signs of water in your ear. This can be a gradual decline in your hearing ability or may occur suddenly after you feel water in your ear. Hearing loss can affect both ears or just one, depending on where the water has accumulated.
Other symptoms associated with hearing loss include:
- Muffled sounds.
- A feeling that your ear is blocked.
- Ringing or buzzing in the affected ear.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to visit a doctor for an examination.
Diagnosis
If you think you may have water in your ear, it is important to get a proper diagnosis. There are several tests that can be performed by a medical professional to determine if there is fluid in your ear and the cause of the fluid. In order to make a proper diagnosis, your doctor may order tests such as:
- An ear examination
- A hearing test
- Imaging tests
Let’s take a look at what these tests involve.
Examining the Ear
Diagnosing water in the ear typically begins with an examination by a healthcare professional who will use an otoscope to look into the ear canal. The doctor will also examine your medical history and symptoms, so it is important to let them know if you have any medical conditions that might make you more vulnerable to water-related adverse effects. Additionally, they may ask questions about the amount and type of water that you were exposed to and how often.
During this exam, the doctor will look for presence of debris or moisture in the ear canal that can indicate presence of water trapped inside. They may also look for signs of infection or irritation caused by soaking for too long or frequent swimming without proper protection such as earplugs. If there is doubt about whether there is liquid in your ear, your doctor may order further diagnostic tests such as a tympanometry (a test using air pressure changes) or an imaging scan (such as CT or MRI). These tests can help confirm if fluid is present in the ear pelvis.
Treatment options depend on individual factors and can include everything from home remedies to prescription medications.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests can help doctors diagnose the presence of water in the ear. Imaging tests use sound waves, X-rays, magnets, or radioactive particles to create images of inside the body. These images show structures in the ear, such as fluid collections behind delicate membranous structures. Ultrasound is an imaging test often used for this purpose. This test is noninvasive and does not use radiation to generate images.
Other imaging tests which may be used to find water in the ear include computed tomography (CT scan or CAT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both CT scans and MRI scans are frequently used by medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment planning for various conditions including diseases of inner ear.
The results of these imaging tests will help diagnose a variety of conditions and will allow doctors to better plan treatments such as drainage of fluid from the ear, surgery or medical management, depending on the cause and severity of symptoms associated with water accumulation in the ears.
Hearing Tests
Hearing tests can help diagnose whether or not you have water in your ear. A hearing test, also known as an audiometry test, can tell you the type and level of sounds that you can hear clearly. This test is usually administered in a soundproof booth with several headphones and speakers. You will listen to different tones at various pitches and volumes, and indicate if you are able to hear them.
The results of this test will indicate how well your ears are functioning as well as if there is any fluid present in the ear canal or middle ear cavity, which would suggest water-related issues. In addition to this test, other procedures such as tympanograms and acoustic reflex tests may also be utilized to confirm the presence of fluid. Your doctor or audiologist may recommend further diagnostic measures depending on your diagnosis.
Treatment
If you are experiencing water trapped in the ear, there are several treatments that may be recommended. Depending on the cause of your trapped water, the treatment may vary.
Generally speaking, the first step is to try to remove the trapped water with a few home remedies, such as using a syringe and bulb syringe. However, if these remedies are not successful, it may be necessary to seek medical help.
In this section, we will discuss treatments for water in the ear:
Ear Drops
Ear drops are a common treatment for water in the ear. The drops help to reduce inflammation and thus make the condition more bearable. They can be purchased over-the-counter, or they may be prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Some ear drops contain antibiotics, while others contain antihistamines, decongestants, or steroids. If you have an infection in your ear, antibiotic ear drops may be helpful in ridding yourself of the infection and inflammation that can occur with water in the ear. Those who suffer from allergies could benefit from using antihistamine or decongestant ear drops to reduce any irritation caused by allergies that may be exacerbating their symptoms of water in the ear. Lastly, steroidal ear drops are sometimes used when there is an infection causing pain and swelling of the outer part of the ear (otitis externa).
It’s important to note that using over-the-counter eardrops without proper instructions from a healthcare provider can lead to serious side effects like further injury to your ears or even damage hearing or balance systems. It’s best to consult with a doctor before beginning any treatment for water in the ears.
Oral Medications
When earwax blocks the ear and causes pain or itching, oral medications may help improve symptoms. Oral antihistamines, such as Zyrtec or Claritin, are often prescribed to reduce inflammation and irritation from allergies and liquid wax buildup. Decongestants such as Sudafed may also be prescribed as an adjunct to reduce pressure in the ear canal.
Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed for severe infections, especially if a fluid discharge is apparent. These medications work by killing the bacteria that cause infection in the middle ear and inner ear. Your doctor will determine what type of antibiotic is best for your situation based on factors such as your medical history and any underlying conditions you might have.
In some cases, corticosteroid medications can be used to treat inner-ear infections caused by a virus. Corticosteroids reduce facial swelling and pressure in the affected area while also providing relief from intense pain associated with vertigo. They are typically administered either orally or directly into the middle ear via injection or drops. You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when taking corticosteroids, as they can cause side effects if not taken correctly.
Surgery
Surgery may be required if the buildup of earwax and/or any foreign bodies is particularly large and about to cause hearing problems. A tiny microscope or fibre optic endoscope may be used to see inside the ear canal, or occasionally a larger microscope called an operating microscope will be used for a more complex procedure. The aim of these surgeries is not only to remove objects from the ear canal, but also to improve its shape and make it easier to clean in future.
The most commonly used surgical techniques involve:
- Manual removal with small instrumentation (e.g., forceps, micro-suction units, etc.)
- Surgical dissection for stubborn cases
- Laser ablation for chronic cases or cholesteatoma (which is a trapped infected material)
- Ossicular chain reconstruction with grafting in cases of trauma or congenital abnormality.
Depending on the individual case, recovery time can vary between a couple of weeks and several months after surgery; however, traditional manual methods generally have a shorter recovery time than more complex procedures such as laser surgery.
Prevention
Water in the ear can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. To prevent it from happening, there are several measures that can be taken. Some of these include:
- Avoiding swimming in dirty water and always drying your ears thoroughly after showering or taking a bath.
- Using earplugs when swimming and avoiding any activities that might add pressure to the ear canal.
This can help prevent water from entering and becoming trapped in your ear.
Avoid Swimming
Swimming can be a great way to relax, exercise, and engage in recreational activities. However, it is important to be aware of the potential for water in your ear and how to avoid it.
When you swim, you should always wear ear plugs or a swim cap that covers your ears. If available, you should also attempt to use waterproof headphones while swimming. This will help reduce any suction created in your ears by the water which could potentially pull water into the ear canal. Additionally, if getting your hair wet is inevitable while swimming or bathing, turning or tilting your head and using gravity can ensure that only the outer portion of the ear is exposed to water instead of water going further down into the inner ear.
You may also want to avoid using a showerhead attachment when washing your face after swimming as this can generate pressure on areas of skin like around the ears and push water into them with force instead of letting gravity do its work. Furthermore, it is suggested that post-swimming baths and showers should not last longer than 10 minutes so as not to leave too much time for water to enter through any type of opening on parts around the outer region affected by swimming such as eyes, nose and ears.
Finally, keep an eye out for any signs that could indicate an infection has set in due to too much moisture; such signs include pain in or around your ears or itchiness within them from an infection caused by bacteria responding quickly to wet surfaces like those found inside a person’s auditory canal after exposure from excess humidity or stagnant pool/sea water accumulation after long periods spent underwater without wearing protective coverings such as ear plugs/covers mentioned previously.
Use Ear Plugs
Using ear plugs when swimming, showering and during any activity that involves getting water in your ears is the best way to prevent water from entering the ear canal. This is especially important for people with a tight eustachian tube or prone to infected ears because a build up of water in the ear can cause infections.
There are different types of ear plugs available, such as ones made of foam or silicone, but it’s important to choose ones that fit you properly for the best protection.
If you do happen to get some water in your ears, you should use an ear syringe or bulb syringe filled with warm water and a few drops of saline solution (used for contacts) to gently irrigate the affected ear (gauge guidance from medical professional). This will help flush out any remaining liquid and reduce the risk of infection.
Clean Your Ears Regularly
It’s important to keep both your external ear canals clear of debris and wax. Doing this prevents built-up wax from pushing the water further into your ear which increases the risk of infection. Cleaning your ears should be done carefully and gently with a washcloth to prevent damaging the eardrums. Avoid using cotton swabs or hairpins to clean the ears because this can lead to blockage of the small passages in your ear canals.
You also need to check for signs of injury or infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, fluid drainage, fever, dizziness or an unusual smell in and around your ear. In these cases seek medical advice immediately. It may be wise to consult a doctor if you have used water in your ears too often or if it seems like there is still water inside after a couple of days even with all other precautions taken.
Additionally, from time to time it is important to inspect any hearing aids or devices that are inserted directly into your ears for possible damage or dirt build up which could increase the risk for infection. Cleaning them according to manufacturer instructions should help protect against further moisture buildup.