Water in Your Ears? Essential Tips for Hearing Aid Users

If you've experienced clogged ears after a swim or shower, you're not alone. When water gets in your ears, sounds can become muffled, and you may experience some pressure or pain.

The trick is to take care of it sooner rather than later. Water in your ear canal can lead to bacterial growth and infection, referred to as “swimmer's ear,” which can be even more discomforting if you're a hearing aid user.

Swimmers' ear manifests as discomfort in the ear, muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness, and redness or inflammation. Although most cases improve after 7-10 days with proper treatment, complications or severe symptoms are possible.

Common Risk Factors for Developing Swimmer's Ear

There are a lot of ways you can develop a swimmer's ear, including:

• Swimming
• Poor hearing aid care
• Earwax buildup
• Humidity

Most people think diving into water is the only way to develop a swimmer’s ear. However, we are more exposed to moisture than we realize. Showers, humid weather and the accumulation of earwax can also trap water in your ears.

Swimmer's Ear Risks

Water usually comes out of ears due to earwax's water-repellant properties. However, if it doesn’t, trapped water in the ears can lead to bacterial growth and infection.

Symptoms range from mild to severe, including:

• Pain in the ear
• Itchy ears
• Inflammation of the ears
• Discharge from your ears
• Difficulty hearing

Water can stay in your ears for days, which can be uncomfortable. If water stays trapped in your ears for days, you may develop an infection, which can lead to more long-term damage and even hearing loss, so you will need to seek medical attention. 

How to Protect Against Swimmer's Ear

It is important to practice good hearing care to keep water or moisture from building up in your ear canal. Here are some tips:

• Going for a swim? Wear earplugs and a swim cap to prevent water from entering the ear canal.
• Check your ears for earwax buildup and have a doctor remove excess earwax if needed. Don't attempt to do it yourself.
• Remove earbuds if you're sweaty.
• Dry your outer ears with a towel after spending time immersed in water.

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Special Considerations for Hearing Aid Users

Hearing aid users should take extra considerations to prevent swimmers' ears because the assistive listening device can trap water and bacteria, leading to an increased risk for infection.

• Clean your hearing aid regularly to prevent bacterial and moisture buildup.
• Wear earplugs when swimming.
• Thoroughly dry your ears after swimming or showering.
• Dry your ear canal with a blow dryer on the lowest setting (never hot)
• Wait until your ears are fully dry before placing your device back in.

How to Remove Water From Your Ear

Usually, water drains out on its own. If it doesn't, trap water or moisture can lead to infection. 

The good news is that you can safely remove water from your ears on your own with these helpful tips:

Gently tug your earlobe.

This method can be used immediately. If you feel the water in your ear after swimming or showering, gently tug your earlobe until you feel a sense of relief. Note that water may drain from your ear.

Tilt your head to the side.

Tilt your head to the side for a few minutes and let gravity do the work.

Use a blow dryer

Turn on the blow dryer in the lowest setting (never hot) and hold it about a foot away from your ear. This can help evaporate the air inside your ear canal.

Use eardrops

A doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops to help soften earwax, which blocks water from exiting the ear canal and prevents infection. Your doctor may also prescribe pain relievers to help relieve pain and inflammation if needed.

Key Takeaway

Practicing good ear hygiene and taking special consideration for hearing aid users is a great way to prevent water from getting trapped in your ear canal.

This condition can usually be treated at home, but if home methods don’t resolve the issue, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to avoid further complications.