Water can get trapped in your ear canal through common activities like swimming and showering. It creates an environment where bacteria can thrive, potentially leading to an ear infection commonly known as swimmerโs ear or otitis externa. This type of infection can result in hearing loss so removing the water before any complications develop is essential.
This article will explore the methods to get water out of your ears, what to avoid during this process, and some frequently asked questions about water removal from your ears.
How to Get Water Out of Your Ears Fast
In this section, we’ll explore various techniques to safely and efficiently get water out of your ears.
1. Tug on your earlobe
To help drain water from your ear, tilt your head toward your shoulder before gently tugging on your earlobe and shaking it. This movement can facilitate the flow of water out of your ear canal.
2. Lie on your side
Lay down on the side with the trapped water and remain in this position for a few minutes to allow gravity to drain the water from your ear.
3. Yawn or chew gum
Yawning or chewing gum can help to open the Eustachian tube, allowing water to drain away from your middle ear. This method works if water enters through your nose and is stuck in your Eustachian tube.
4. Create a suction to draw water out
Water can be drawn out from your ear by creating a suction with your hands. Tilt your head to the side of the affected ear and place your ear against your cupped palm to form a tight seal. Then, gently press and release your hand quickly to create a vacuum to draw the water out.
5. Use a hairdryer
Set your hairdryer to the lowest setting to avoid burns and hold it about 30cm away from your ear. Move the dryer back and forth while gently pulling on your earlobe. This technique aids the evaporation of water in your ear canal.
6. Use over-the-counter eardrops
You can use two types of over-the-counter eardrops to address water trapped in your ears: alcohol-based eardrops or hydrogen peroxide eardrops.ย
Alcohol-based eardrops help evaporate water from your ear canal and inhibit bacterial growth, reducing the risk of infections. On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide eardrops can help dissolve earwax, which may be the source of trapped water in your ears.ย
When it comes to using eardrops, always follow the instructions on the packaging for best results. However, avoid using them if you have an ear infection, ear tubes, or a perforated eardrum, as this could lead to further complications.
7. Use warm olive oil
Apart from preventing ear infections, warm olive oil can help remove water from your ear. You can purchase over-the-counter olive oil ear drops and dip the entire bottle in a bowl of warm water to warm the oil.
Alternatively, if you have olive oil in a large bottle, warm a small amount in a bowl and check that it isnโt too hot by placing a few drops on your inner wrist.ย
Using a sterile dropper (or the dropper that comes with the ear drops), drip three or four drops of warm olive oil into your affected ear. Then, lie on your side with the affected ear facing upwards for approximately 10 minutes. Once the time is up, sit up. Tilt your affected ear downward, and let the oil and water drain out.
What to Avoid When Getting Water Out of Your Ears
Avoid using Q-tips, cotton swabs, fingers, or other objects to dig your ears. This practice can introduce bacteria into your ear canal. It can also drive earwax deeper, leading to impaction, or push water further into your middle ear. There is also a risk of leaving foreign objects in the ear e.g. small amounts of cotton wool.
Furthermore, inserting objects into your ears can accidentally puncture, your eardrum, which can cause pain, hearing loss, and other complications. You could also scratch the protective layer of your eardrum, which can increase the risk of infections.
How to Prevent Water From Getting Into Your Ears
To prevent water from entering your ears while swimming or participating in water activities, wear earplugs or cover your ears with a swimming cap. We recommend using custom swim plugs over over-the-counter earplugs as theyโre tailored specifically to fit the unique shape of your ear canal, effectively preventing water from becoming trapped in your ear.
After your water activities, remember to dry the outer ear canal gently with a towel.
Get Custom Swim Plugs Today!
At Hearing Partners, our hearing care professionals specialise in crafting comfortable, custom-fit swim plugs. These are perfect for individuals prone to ear infections or those with an existing eardrum perforation.ย Our custom swim plugs provide a secure seal, keeping your ears dry and protected while you swim or enjoy other water activities. Book an appointment to get your swim plugs custom-fitted today!
FAQs About Getting Water Out of Your Ears
Will water come out of my ear naturally?
Yes, water in the ear typically drains out on its own. However, you may occasionally need to use some home remedies to help with this.
When should I see a doctor?
Consult an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist if you still feel water in your ear despite trying the recommended techniques. In the event that you experience ear pain or develop a fever, seek immediate medical attention too.
Joey is a Clinical Audiologist at Hearing Partners. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (Major in Audiology) at Mackay Medical College in Taiwan. Joey is experienced in conducting hearing tests for adults and children, and offers hearing device evaluation and aural rehabilitation for all ages.