While swimming is a great way to stay active and enjoy the summer, spending time in the water can sometimes lead to ear problems if you're not careful. At Mountain Audiology, we want to help you keep your ears healthy all summer long.
How Swimming Affects Your Ears
Your ears are naturally designed to protect themselves, but prolonged exposure to water can create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Water that becomes trapped in the ear canal can lead to irritation or infection, especially if the ear canal is scratched or already inflamed.
Swimmer's Ear
One of the most common ear conditions during the summer is swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa. This is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by moisture becoming trapped inside.
Common symptoms include:
Ear pain, especially when touching the ear
Itching inside the ear canal
Redness or swelling
Drainage from the ear
Muffled hearing or a feeling of fullness
If left untreated, swimmer's ear can become more painful and may require prescription medication.
Tips to Keep Your Ears Healthy While Swimming
Fortunately, there are several simple ways to protect your ears:
Dry Your Ears Thoroughly
After swimming, gently dry the outside of your ears with a towel. You can also tilt your head to each side to help trapped water drain out naturally.
Consider Earplugs
If you're prone to ear infections or spend a lot of time in the water, well-fitting swim earplugs can help keep water out of your ear canals.
Avoid Cotton Swabs
It may be tempting to use cotton swabs to remove water or earwax, but they can push wax deeper into the ear and even damage the delicate skin inside the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection.
Keep Hearing Devices Dry
If you wear hearing aids, cochlear implant processors, or other hearing devices, always remove them before swimming unless they are specifically designed for water use. Moisture can damage sensitive electronics and affect performance. After swimming, make sure your ears are completely dry before putting your hearing devices back in.
What About Earwax?
Earwax actually serves an important purpose—it helps protect the ear canal from water, dirt, and bacteria. Avoid trying to remove earwax yourself unless advised by a healthcare professional. Excessive cleaning can strip away this natural protection.
When Should You See an Audiologist?
While many swimming-related ear issues are minor, persistent symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Schedule an appointment if you experience:
Ear pain lasting more than a day or two
Recurrent swimmer's ear
Sudden or ongoing hearing loss
Ringing in the ears after swimming
Drainage or bleeding from the ear
Problems with your hearing aids after water exposure
Early evaluation can help prevent more serious complications and ensure your hearing stays at its best.
Enjoy the Water—Safely!
Swimming is one of summer's greatest pleasures, and with a few simple precautions, you can enjoy it while protecting your ear health. Whether you're spending time at the pool, lake, or ocean, taking care of your ears can help prevent infections and keep your hearing devices functioning properly.
If you have questions about protecting your hearing, are experiencing ear discomfort, or need your hearing aids checked after water exposure, the team at Mountain Audiology is here to help.
Schedule an appointment today and let us help you keep your hearing healthy all year long!