With the sun heating things up this summer it’s great to cool down with a nice swim. When you’re swimming in a pool or the ocean, it’s important to protect your ears before going under water.

Publication Optical Center, written by Manu Gosselinois 04.06.2019 - 16h53

How does water get into your ears?

Water can get in your ears after a swim or a scuba-diving session. It then runs down into the ear canal, and since it can’t get out, it stagnates in your ear. In most cases, the water goes away by itself after a short time, or can be coaxed out by gently shaking your head. You’ll need to take measures, however, if you still feel like your ear is stopped-up after a while.

What are the consequences of having water in your ear?

When you dive down to the bottom of a pool, you can feel the pressure of the water above, which can cause pain in your eardrums. This phenomenon can have repercussions on your hearing, including permanent hearing problems. The ear canal can also get stopped up when you go underwater due to an accumulation of bacteria and fungus. Humidity can trigger ear infections which, if not properly treated, can lead to conductive hearing loss.

How can you prevent water from getting in your ears?

To prevent water from entering your ears when swimming or diving, you can wear ear plugs. Silicone ear plugs are the most recommended, and you can get them from a specialist. They keep the water out and can be re-used once they’ve been cleaned and disinfected.