The sensation of having water in the ears is common to everyone, after a shower and, especially in the summer, after a swim in the pool or the sea. This can lead to a muffled ear sensation, which often lasts a short time without consequences. However, when the water does not come out of the ears correctly, it can remain there for days and cause problems such as ear inflammation.
Water in the ear can result from a variety of activities and environmental factors:
Usually, water accumulates in the ear during a shower, bath or through swimming. The water flows into your ear duct and can sometimes generate the characteristic muffled sound.
This is because water floods the ear canal and settles in the ear.It works its way through the slightly sloping ear canal to the eardrum. Due to trapped water, the eardrum cannot move properly and no longer transmits sound completely. That's why you only hear muffled noises accompanied by a low gurgle.
Using a hairdryer can also effectively dry the ear canal and eliminate water inside the ears. However, certain precautions are necessary, such as maintaining a sufficient distance between the hairdryer and the ear, and setting it to the lowest heat level to avoid burns and other related issues.
The ear can be dried using a hairdryer, allowing the trapped fluid to evaporate. The warm, dry air turns the water into steam, helping to dissolve the fluid. To do this, gently pull the earlobe down and ensure the hairdryer is not too close to the ear to prevent burns.
Set the hairdryer to warm and the airflow to low, then blow air directly towards the ear canal for approximately 30 seconds. Repeat if necessary. Note: Do not use this method for more than 2 minutes at a time, and if it becomes too hot, stop the process immediately.
If the suggested methods do not resolve the water in your ear, it is important to promptly schedule an appointment with your ENT specialist. They can safely drain the water and dry the ear canal. Prolonged exposure of the ears to water can lead to fluid reaching deep into the ear, potentially causing complications and illnesses.
It's crucial for the ear to dry promptly. If water has been trapped in the ear for days, it may have caused swelling of the earwax, affecting hearing. This should also be addressed by an ENT specialist to restore unrestricted hearing. Water in the ear not only causes discomfort and pain but can also pose risks if left unresolved for an extended period. If there are signs of ear inflammation, it is highly advisable to consult your GP or otolaryngologist promptly.
If you still have water in your ear or have had it recently and are currently suffering from ear pain, this is an alarm signal for an ear canal infection or exostosis and an appointment with an ENT doctor is urgent. Pain and itching in the ear can indicate an infection in the ear caused by germs in the water.
If necessary, the ENT doctor can prescribe an antibiotic and drain the remaining water from the ear. Failure to treat these warning signals when they occur can, in the worst case, lead to hearing loss.
In babies and children, ear inflammation caused by water entry can develop more rapidly because their Eustachian tube is shorter and narrower and their immune systems are not yet as strong as that of an adult. So, if water containing germs flows into the baby's ear from the outside and keeps the ear canal moist, otitis media can quickly develop.
Tympanic effusion, on the other hand, is wheb a liquid forms inside the ear and collects behind the eardrum. Most of the time, an effusion from the tympanic cavity causes pain in the affected person. Tympanic effusions are more common in young children and should be treated quickly in any case as they can lead to pain and decreased hearing.
If you are fond of swimming or diving, swimming earplugs can prevent water from entering your ear and its possible complications. The silicone earplugs, are the most suitable: they protect the ear from water penetration. There are waterproof earplugs for adults on one side and special earplugs for children on the other to protect the ears from water penetration. High-quality earplugs seal the ear canals watertight, hold their shape and let sounds pass while preventing water from entering.
To avoid any inflammation, ear drops with glycerin and alcohol, which protect the pH value of the ear, are particularly suitable. They are great for divers, sailors or lovers of water sports. Too intensive cleaning of the ears is to be avoided in order not to damage the natural protective film inside the ear. For adequate ear hygiene a little hot water is more than enough. Cotton swabs are not recommended at this juncture: their use, in fact, can push a cap already present even deeper into the duct, blocking the water more and making it difficult to extract.
For hearing aid wearers, moisture and water present special challenges as they can affect performance. Waterproof hearing aids with special coatings or seals are designed to prevent moisture ingress. These are particularly suitable for active people who wear their hearing aids while exercising or outdoors. However, it is important to note that these hearing aids are not completely waterproof and are not suitable for swimming or showering.
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