Ways to remove water out of your ears

Water can sometimes get stuck in your ear canal due to our frequent exposure to it.   Its presence may cause a tickling sensation in your ears and it could extend to your jawbone or throat. This might lead to loss of hearing or hearing only muffled noises. 

Generally, the water drains out by itself. If it does not, the water stuck in ear might lead to an infection. This type of infection is called the ‘Swimmer’s ear’. However, it is not hard to get rid of the water. If you are looking for a solution to ‘water in my ear’, then you are at the right place.

This article briefs you about the ways to get rid of water in the ear. 

How to prevent water from going inside your ear? 

If you find water in your ears after swimming or bathing, you may wear over-the-counter earplugs to avoid it. Alternatively, you can also have a talk with a hearing professional and purchase a pair of ear plugs specifically designed for use in water. 

Such exclusive earplugs may be costlier than the usual foam ones at the pharmacy. However, they are washable and reusable. You can also have custom-fit your ears accordingly. 

How to remove water from your ear canal?

Here are some tips to get rid of the water trapped in ear.

Try jiggling your earlobe

 This will shake the water out of your ear. All you need to do is simply tug your earlobe and tilt your head towards your shoulder. Instead you could also try to shake your head from side to side.

Wait for Gravity to do the job

Lie on your side for a few minutes. Due to the presence of gravity, you will feel the water slowly slipping out of your ear. 

Vacuum

Create a tight seal using your cupped palm and tilt your head to the side. Now, gently push your hand forward and backward towards your ear rapidly. Remember to flatten it as you go forward and cup it when you pull away. 

This will create a vacuum that will help in draining the water out. Now, tilt your head to drain the water. 

Blow dryer to the rescue

The heat from the blow dryer can help vaporize the water in ear. Turn it on to the lowest setting and hold it at a safe distance. Now tug your earlobe and let the warm air pass into your ears. 

Alcohol and Vinegar ear drops

Alcohol can also help in evaporating the water trapped in ear. Take equal parts of vinegar and alcohol. Combine them to make ear drops. Use a sterile dropper to add 3 or 4 drops into your ear. Gently rub your outer ear and wait for a minute. Tilt your head to the side and let the solution flow out. 

Olive oil

Olive oil not only prevents infection in your ears but also helps in repelling the water out. Using a clean dropper, add some warm oil to your affected ear. Lie on the opposite side for around 10 minutes and sit up. Now tilt your head downwards and both water and oil will drain out by themselves. 

Over-the-counter medication

A lot of OTC ear drops in the market are alcohol based and can help in reducing the moisture. In addition, they also kill bacteria and remove debris/ear wax. 

Summing up

Usually, water stuck in ear goes away without any medical help. You may try one of the above methods to get rid of water. If the water persists for more than 2 or 3 days, or if your ears show signs of infection, you should see a doctor. He will then prescribe the right medications to terminate infection and relieve pain.