What to do when you get water in your ears?
It’s important that you do not insert things into your ear. While you might be inclined to use a cotton swab to help drain the water out, this is not something you should do. It could push things further into the ear canal and puncture your eardrum. It can also remove the protective waxy layer that is inside your ear canal, and provide an opportunity for bacteria to grow.
Do this to get water out of your ears:
* Tip your head toward the ear that has water in it and gently pull on your earlobe.
* Chewing gum and yawning to get your jaw to move, and then turn your head toward the ground of the ear that has water in it.
* Breathe in and hold your nose, with your mouth closed exhale to help open your Eustachian tubes.
* Lay on your side with the ear that has water in it laying on a towel for a few minutes.
* Create a suction by cupping the palm of your hand securely over your ear. Tilt your head toward the ground (the side of the head with the ear that has water in it) as you gently push and release your palm back and forth creating the suction.
* You can also rest the side of your head with the water in the ear on a warm compress or blow warm air from a hair dryer (low setting) into the ear canal.
As long as you do NOT have an ear infection, perforated ear drum or tubes in your ears, you can also use hydrogen peroxide ear drops, that are available in most drug stores, or you can make your own solution with equal parts of vinegar and alcohol.
If these techniques do not work or if you feel any pain or you develop a fever, contact a medical professional immediately.
If you have any difficulties, please give us a call at 727-323-2471 and set up an appointment. We can help you.
Susan E. Terry, Au.D., F-AAA, F-NAP
Doctor of Audiology
Board Certified
P.S. We are here to help if you have any questions about your hearing, feel free to give us a call at 727-323-2471