Swimmer's Ear: Symptoms, Causes and What to Do

Do you swim regularly and notice ear pain or a feeling of pressure afterwards? If so, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with swimmer’s ear. This common ear infection develops in the ear canal and can be quite unpleasant. In this article you’ll learn exactly what swimmer’s ear is, how to recognise the symptoms, what to do about a blocked ear after swimming, and how to prevent problems in the future. Want to avoid these complaints altogether? Then custom swim plugs can help protect your ears while you swim.

What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear is an inflammation of the skin in the ear canal. The medical term is otitis externa. The condition usually develops when moisture remains trapped in the ear, giving bacteria the chance to multiply. Because this often happens after swimming, this ear infection is commonly known as swimmer’s ear.

The inflammation is located on the outer part of the ear and can range from mild to very painful. Acting in time prevents the symptoms from getting worse.

Causes of swimmer’s ear

The most common cause of swimmer’s ear is water that stays in the ear canal after swimming. This explains why people often experience a blocked ear after swimming.

Other causes include:

• Damage to the skin in the ear canal

• Excessive or improper cleaning of the ear

• Inserting objects into the ear, such as cotton swabs

• Irritation from soap, shampoo or other products

The ear canal is delicate. Once the protective layer of skin is damaged, bacteria can easily cause an infection.

Complaints and symptoms

Swimmer’s ear can be recognised by several signs. Many people first notice a nagging or stabbing sensation. This can worsen over time.

Common complaints include:

• Ear pain, especially when touching the ear or chewing

• Itching or irritation in the ear

• Discharge from the ear

• Reduced hearing

• The sensation of a blocked ear after swimming

Swelling and moisture can temporarily reduce your hearing. That makes swimming with a blocked ear especially unpleasant, and it’s strongly discouraged.

What should you do about swimmer’s ear?

If you have symptoms that point to swimmer’s ear, don’t wait too long. A doctor or audiologist can determine whether there’s an infection. In most cases, swimmer’s ear is treated with medicinal ear drops that fight the infection and reduce the swelling.

During treatment it’s important to:

• Keep the ear as dry as possible

• Avoid putting any pressure or strain on the ear

• Avoid inserting any objects into the ear

In severe cases, additional medical treatment may be necessary.

How do you prevent swimmer’s ear?

Prevention is always better than cure. With a few simple measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of swimmer’s ear:

• Make sure your ears dry properly after contact with water

• Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture

• Don’t clean your ears with objects

• Be careful with cosmetic products around the ear

If your symptoms keep coming back, it may be wise to seek advice on suitable hearing protection. On the hearing protection page you’ll find more information about solutions that help protect your ear canal more effectively.

When should you seek professional advice?

Do your symptoms keep returning, or are you unsure about the cause of your ear problems? Then professional advice is important. At Audinc, you can count on expert guidance and personal advice.

Feel free to contact Audinc with any questions about ear problems, prevention or suitable solutions.