Here’s How To Get Water Out of Your Ear Safely

We’ve all done it before. You turn your head just right in the shower or dunk your head into the swimming pool a little too enthusiastically. Now you’re getting an earful. Of water, that is.

Most of the time, it’s uncomfortable for a moment. Then, the water trickles out and life goes on.

But every once in a while, that water seems determined to make a home for itself in your ear canal. And if it doesn’t get evicted, you run the risk of a gnarly infection.

We asked head and neck specialist Richard Freeman, MD, how water gets stuck in your ear, what to do about it and how to avoid it happening in the first place.

So, let’s dive in (carefully). We’ll start by sharing strategies for removing water. Then, once your ear’s nice and dry, we’ll take a bird’s-eye look at other important aspects like prevention, infection risk factors and what not to do.

What to do if there’s water trapped in your ear

Getting water stuck in your ear may be inevitable. Staying in there long term isn’t. Here are some common ways people remove stubborn moisture from their ears.

Tilt your head and pull on your ear

This is the method Dr. Freeman recommends first.

“The outer portion of the ear canal is cartilage. And it does move a little bit,” Dr. Freeman explains. “So, turning your head to the side and pulling up and back on your ear usually allows the water to run out.”

Use a hair dryer

If pulling or jiggling your ear doesn’t do the trick, Dr. Freeman says using a hair dryer to fix the issue is a great next step. Just remember: Your ears are delicate. Keep the heat low or off. And keep the dryer far enough away from your outer ear that you aren’t going to burn your skin.

Suction it out with your hand

You may already use this technique to pop your ears. It’s almost like taking a plunger to the problem, minus the grossness. All you have to do is:

1. Turn your head to the side.
2. Cup your ear with your palm tightly enough to create a seal.
3. “Plunge” your ear by repeatedly flattening and cupping your hand.
4. Tilt your head and, if necessary, pull up and back on your ear until the water drains out.

Exercise your jaw

Chewing gum is a go-to method to prevent your ears from popping when you fly. It can also be a gamechanger if you’re struggling to get water out of your ear.

Your mouth and jaw muscles sit close enough to your eustachian tubes that moving them indirectly moves the tubes, too. That motion can make the tubes open and close, pushing the trapped water out.

No gum? No problem! Try yawning, instead.

Use a hydrogen peroxide solution

If water is trapped in your ear behind a wall of earwax, you may not get relief from the techniques we’ve reviewed so far. But that doesn’t mean you can’t deal with it at home.

Dr. Freeman recommends cleaning out your ear canal with an ear dropper filled halfway with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. It’s a textbook way to remove built-up earwax. All you have to do is:

1. Tilt your head and squeeze the contents into the dropper into the affected ear.
2. Give the solution time to loosen up the wax.
3. Turn your head to the side and pull back on the top of your ear to allow it to drain properly.
4. Use the hair dryer trick we mentioned earlier to be sure there’s no moisture remaining in your ear canal.

How does water get stuck in your ear?

If you look at a diagram of the human ear, you might be surprised that water gets caught in there at all. Where exactly is it going? And why doesn’t it just drip out?

“It’s the ear canal that’s filling up with water when you submerge yourself,” explains Dr. Freeman. “The water molecules stick together, creating a curve called a meniscus. And thanks to surface tension, the water just sits there.”

Getting water stuck in your ear isn’t usually painful. But it could make you uncomfortable. Common symptoms include:

• Muffled hearing
• Pressure or a feeling of fullness
• Itchiness or irritation in your ear, jaw, throat or all three
• Tingling or popping noises

Generally speaking, a little water getting into your ears isn’t a problem. But it can become a problem if it sits there for a long time. That’s because the water is frequently contaminated, especially if it comes from a river, lake, ocean or poorly maintained pool.

“Your ear is warm and dark,” he continues. “And now, you have the presence of bacteria in a place where it can grow. So, you have all the ingredients for a petri dish, which can lead to otitis externa — also known as swimmer’s ear.”

When and where it’s most likely to happen (and what increases your risk)

Anybody can get water stuck in their ear from time to time. But Dr. Freeman says it’s most likely to happen in situations, like swimming or bathing, where your head is fully submerged.

There are a few things that raise your risk of getting water stuck in your ear canal. Some are within your control, but many aren’t. Those risk factors are:

• The shape of your ear. Ears are extremely complex. The size, shape, width and angle of your ear canal might make it more difficult to remove water once it’s made its way in.
• What’s in your ear. Having a lot of hair in your ear canal may increase the chances of moisture getting trapped. The same’s true of your earwax. Some people have more of it than others. If you have lots of earwax, it could create a barrier for the water. The same’s true if you use implements like cotton swabs in your ears. That’s an ear care no-no because it can push your earwax in a way that creates a blockage, instead of removing it.
• Having diabetes. People living with diabetes aren’t more likely to get water trapped in their ear, but they are more likely to develop an infection as a result. “People with diabetes often have small vessel disease, which can impact circulation,” Dr. Freeman explains. “That makes it harder for their immune system to prevent infections.”
• Being immunocompromised. If your immune system isn’t working as well as it should, it’s more likely for a little liquid lingering in your ear canal to develop into full-blown swimmer’s ear.

Tactics to avoid

There are lots of great ways to get trapped water out of your ear. But there are also plenty of ways to make the problem worse. Here are the most common strategies you should avoid:

• Using your fingers or cotton swabs. Digging around in your ear with either one can cause serious problems, like ear infections, increased wax build-up, a punctured eardrum, skin irritation or injury.
• Using ear-drying drops (for now). Dr. Freeman warns against using over-the-counter or DIY drying drops until you’ve discussed it with your healthcare provider. They can make sure it’s a safe option for you, given the current condition of your ears.

When to call your doctor

Most of the time, getting some water in your ear isn’t a big deal. But the following symptoms are always a sign that it’s time to call a provider:

• A fever
• Difficulty hearing
• Drainage coming from your ear
• Redness or swelling of your outer ear

It could be that the water in your ear has caused an infection. It could also be that something’s going on in your inner ear and making it feel full. Either way, you need medical attention.

Tips to keep water out in the future

If you made it this far, you’ve probably been on a journey. One you’d rather not go on again.

The best way to do that? Keep your ears dry. Dr. Freeman recommends using earplugs or bathing caps whenever you submerge your head in water. It’s a quick and easy way to keep your ears healthy and happy.