How Long Can Water Stay in Your Ear? Unveiling the Secrets

Human beings are the most intelligent species among all animals, and this intelligence is due to the sense organs that are present in our bodies.

The ear helps us to hear sounds and provides body balance because it is connected to the nose through the Eustachian tube, which helps equalize pressure in the middle ear. We can enjoy the sounds of every season with the help of an ear. Our body will be in equilibrium if we protect the ear from infections. Most such infections are due to water stuck in an ear or by small insects entering inside the ears.

1. How Long Can Water Stay in Your Ear?

Usually, water in the ear will drain out on it’s own. However, occasionally, a person may need to use DIY remedies to relieve clogged ears¹. After swimming or other activities that cause water to enter the ear canal, water may remain in the ear. A person with water in their ears may feel a tickling or tingling sensation that spreads to their jaw or throat. Additionally, they might not like what they hear, including muffled sounds.

Having your ears blocked for several hours can be pretty annoying. But apart from avoiding the water altogether, there is no simple technique to stop water from being lodged in your ear in the first place. Most frequently, water might stay in your ear for a few hours to one or two days.

It depends on the individual, their ear architecture, and how much earwax they produce. It also depends on the level and kind of water activities.

2. The Structure of Ear Canal

Three parts of the ear are responsible for hearing. The pinna collects sound waves and conducts them through the external auditory canal, and these sound waves strike the eardrum, which produces vibrations. The vibrating eardrum also helps to start vibration in ear ossicles.

In turn the cochlea also starts to vibrate. Human beings can receive sounds of 20 to 20,000 Hertz. The semicircular canal of the inner ear is concerned with equilibrium when the body is in motion; the moving fluid in the canal sends nerve impulses to the brain. There are three divisions of the ear.

• Outer Ear, consisting of a pinna, auditory canal, and eardrum.
• The middle ear consists of three bones: the Malleus, incus, and stapes, called ear ossicles.
• The inner ear consists of the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibule.

3. The Types of Ears Infections

Water in the ear for many days is dangerous and can cause hearing impairment. It creates a moist environment that enhances the growth of bacteria and fungi.

The main reason for this infection is water behind earwax or cerumen in the ear canal. Water trapped in your ear causes pain in the ear and in severe cases it can develop into a fever. In this case, consulting a medical practitioner will help.

An ear infection is an uncomfortable and painful experience. Ear care is important in our lives and can be achieved by taking the help of healthcare professionals when required and by taking proper preventive measures. The following are the types of ear infections:

3.1. Otitis Media

This infection occurs in the middle ear and is painful. Otitis media causes swelling in the ear. This infection usually lasts for 2-3 days and if it persists for more than 3 months, then it requires treatment.

3.2. Otitis Externa

This infection occurs due to water trapped in the ear after showering or swimming. Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal that runs from the eardrum.

3.3. Infectious Myringitis

This infection mostly occurs in the eardrum due to viruses or bacteria. Infectious myringitis is a middle ear infection.

3.4. Acute Mastoiditis

This infection is an acute form of bacterial infection in the middle ear that spreads in the mastoid bone. It was once a common and serious illness, but now, many vaccinations and antibiotics are available to cure this illness. Hence, it is now considered a rare condition.

3.4. Vestibular Neuronitis

Vestibular Neuronitis is a type of infection related to the inner ear, which causes vertigo and dizziness. Mostly, this type of infection is caused by cold water entering the ear.

3.5. Herpes Zoster of the Ear

This infection causes severe pain in the ear and forms blisters in the outer ear.

All the above-mentioned infections are due to water entering the ear, and severe cases require medical attention.

4. How Does Water Get Stuck in your Ear?

Water can stick in the ear in different ways. Most of the time, it happens while swimming or showering. Recent studies show that wearing earbuds for a longer duration makes sweat stuck in the ear, which can cause an infection in the ear.

The structure of the ear is such that most of the time water from the ear drains out its own. Sometimes, however, the shape of the ear canal becomes the main contributor to trapping water in the curves and bends of the ear canal. The other causes of water stuck in the ear are sinus infection², ear wax buildup, and high air pressure.

The wax in the outer ear canal protects the ear from moisture, foreign objects, and infection but occasionally this wax becomes the main agent in trapping water inside the ear.

5. Water in Ear Symptoms

Blocked ears after swimming are common, but they can be avoided by wearing earplugs or swim caps. Swimming with earplugs creates a barrier to water entering the ear canal. The symptoms of a swimmer’s ear are itching and redness. Some people feel sensations of fullness or some unique sounds in the ear.

Symptoms of water in the ear include itching, temporary loss of hearing, and discharge. In many cases, water in the ear can cause swelling and bleeding from the ear. All these symptoms are the cause of ear infection, also called swimmer’s ear or otitis externa. Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear infection and generally happens in the external auditory canal.

6. How to Get Rid of Water in the Ear?

Tilting the head towards the downside, in a manner where the affected ear faces towards the earth and then slowly rubbing on the earlobe helps to drain water from the ear.

Water can be dislodged by creating pressure by exhaling after closing the mouth and nose.
One more technique which was preferred in older days was putting more water in the affected ear. In this method, the affected ear is filled with water with the help of a dropper and after 5 seconds that water is removed from the affected ear by turning it downwards.

The technique of evaporating the water with the help of a hair dryer is also helpful. This technique requires extra precautions; say, the hair dryer must be on the lowest settings and while blowing it should be at a safe distance.

The gravity/jiggling technique in which the patient lies on the floor with the affected ear parallel to the floor can help to get rid of water. The most popular method used is creating a vacuum in the ear by tilting the head to the side and resting the ear on a cupped palm. After that, the movement of the hand back and forth helps to drain water outside.

7. Don’ts for Getting Water Out of the Ear

Using fingers or cotton swabs can damage the skin of the ear canal or cause a ruptured eardrum. Avoid pricking with fingernails. When people use ear swabs or fingernails, it pushes the water deeper into the ear, resulting in the rupturing of the eardrum.

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or drying drops without consultation with a doctor, as they may cause damage to ear tubes. Moreover, learn how to protect your ears³.

People who spend a lot of time underwater are more prone to this problem. They can use a warm compress or hydrogen peroxide ear drops, as recommended by a physician. Warm compress is the technique in which a lukewarm water-soaked towel is squeezed to remove extra water placed on the ear by tilting the head. This technique helps to relax the tissues of the ear and helps to drain water from the ear.

There are many home remedies for the treatment of ear pain, but the ones used by many people are alcohol and white vinegar. In this method, the solution is prepared by taking an equal proportion of alcohol and white vinegar and putting it in the affected ear for 30 seconds. After that, drain out the solution and clean the ear with a dry cloth. This solution helps to kill bacteria and ear wax in the ear which causes trapping.

Therefore, eardrops or sprays are also helpful for blocked ears. These can be used on doctor’s prescriptions. There are different types of eardrops and sprays available in the market. The best options are alcohol-based eardrops, hydrogen peroxide eardrops, olive oil eardrops, carbamide peroxide eardrops, and almond oil glycerol eardrops.

Suggested Reading: 5 Questions with Pooja Garg: A Registered Health Coach

8. Final words

The ear is the most important part of our body and helps us to hear. Hearing health is the priority for a sound mind and good health. An ear infection is a major problem among people, which happens due to the clogging of water inside the ear.

There are many techniques by which water can be removed from the ear. If the water is trapped for more than a week and symptoms persist with redness or pain, then consulting a physician is best. In severe cases, water in your ear can damage the bone and cartilage, resulting in hearing loss.

1. Djalilian, Hamid R., et al. “Symptoms: Clogged Ears and Muffled Hearing.” The Hearing Journal 74.2 (2021): 36-38. ↩︎
2. Riley, Charles A., et al. “What do we mean when we have a “sinus infection?”.” International forum of allergy & rhinology. Vol. 13. No. 2. 2023. ↩︎
3. Williams, Rebecca D. Enjoy, protect the best ears of your life. Food and Drug Administration, 1992. ↩︎

Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by Namrata