How To Remove Water From Ears? – 15 Easy Ways To Get Fluid Out

Ranjeet KumarReviewed by Mr. Ranjeet Kumar Sr. Audiologist, Speech Therapist & Cochlear Implant Specialist, BASLP on Nov 30th, 2020 written by Editorial Team

Have you got some water trapped in the ear? This problem may arise while you are swimming and excess water gets inside your ears.

The water will usually drain out of the ear naturally, but if it does not, it may develop a type of infection called swimmer’s ear and some other ear infection also.

You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need any assistance or you have a query regarding How to Remove Water from Ears or Hearing Loss, feel free to call us at +91-9327901950. We are always here to help you.

When water sits in your ear canal, bacteria that live there all the time can multiply and cause an infection. Water stuck in the ear can be unpleasant if it does not get out.

This unpleasant feeling can be that of tickling sensation which may be extended to your jawbones or throat.  So the question comes up at your mind how to remove water from the ear?

This is not a very difficult task and you can do it on your own at your home. But if you don’t know how to remove fluid from ears, then this blog is just for you.

You need to carefully follow the mentioned tips which are as follows:


Best 15 Ways To Remove Water From Ear

Our ears carry wax in the outward layer which saves ears from external pollutants to get inside. By any means, if anything crosses this layer, this may have a severe effect on your ear canal. Swimming may be one of the reasons for that.

At the time of swimming, water may get inside your ear canal. Water stuck in the ear can lead to some sort of irritation and hearing problems. If you are taking a shower or swimming, and if water gets into ear then there is a sudden ringing sound in the ear, then you need to scratch your ear.

Here are 15 methods for how to remove water from the ear:

1. Tilt Your Head

  • Simply tilt your head on that side where the water is trapped.
  • Shake your earlobe when you tilt your head.

2. Use Gravity Facts

This is the easiest and least invasive way for how to get rid of water in the ear which include:

  • Lay tilt on a towel for a few minutes, to absorb the water.
  • Let your ear be completely on one side.
  • The water may slowly drain out of your ear.
  • Then, use the cotton swab to remove the remaining water from your ear.

3. Use Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a solution that is commonly used to treat wounds. It can also remove earwax. Using three percent of hydrogen peroxide and the aid of an ear dropper, just drop two drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear.

A fizzing sound can be heard which is an indication that the solution is doing its job. After 10 minutes drain the liquid by tilting the head.

Generally, it is advised that not to use excess hydrogen peroxide as it can eventually harm the eardrums.

4. Blow Dryer Usage

You can use a blow dryer to get water out of the ear. This method is useful in removing water from your ears. Follow the tips below to apply this method:

  • Simply take a blow dryer.
  • Set it at the lowest temperature or even on cool and keep it at a one-foot distance from your head.
  • Blow the warm air in your ear, while doing this pull your earlobe.
  • Move the blow-dry into back and forth motion.
  • This will evaporate the trapped water of your ear.
  • Keep blow drying your ear until you feel that water draining.
  • Also, make sure that the dryer is not too hot to be placed too close to your ear in order to prevent yourself from burning.

5. Create a Vacuum

  • Create a vacuum by tilting the head sideways and keeping a palm tightly cupped over the ear.
  • By rapidly flattening and cupping the hand against the ear, a vacuum will be created that might pull the water out.
  • If you want to use a finger instead of palm then you must check that your finger is clean and your nail must be shortened.
  • Place your finger in your ear, and make a vacuum with your finger by pushing and pulling rapidly.
  • In a moment the water should come out of your ear very quickly.
  • But when you use your finger use it gently so that it should not scratch your ear inside as it can lead to an ear infection.

6. Perform the Valsalva Maneuver

This is a very helpful technique that can be performed by anyone and works well in clearing the ear canal off of blockage due to ear wax buildup, or when small amounts of water or other fluid gets trapped inside your ears.

It will help pop your ears to open the Eustachian tubes and push water out of your ears. This technique comes handy in situations when you are traveling and there is a change in either velocity or altitude.

  • Close your mouth and pinch your nostrils closed with your fingers.
  • Breathe deeply, and slowly blow the air out of your nose.
  • If you hear a slight popping sound, it means the Eustachian tubes have opened.
  • Tilt your head to allow the water to drain from your ear.
  • Note that do not blow your nose too hard as it can damage your eardrum.

7. Try Heat Compress

The heat therapy will help you when fluid gets trapped in your Eustachian tubes or middle ear. This helps in easy drainage of fluid or water from the ear canal and relieves you from pain as well.

  • Dip a washcloth in a bowl of hot water, remember that the water should not be scalding.
  • Let the washcloth wet then wring out the excess water from it.
  • Lie down on your affected ear side.
  • Place the hot washcloth outside the affected ear for 30 seconds.
  • Wait for a minute, and then repeat the same step.
  • Do this four or five times at a stretch.

8. Use Steam

This method will also help to get out the trapped fluid from your inner ear. Its process is:

  • Take a bowl of steaming water.
  • Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and inhale slowly for 10 minutes or so.
  • The steam will open up your Eustachian tubes and help push the water out.
  • Alternatively, you can take a hot shower or a steam bath for the same effect.

9. Use Olive oil

Olive oil also prevents your ear with the ear infection as it is used to remove ear wax. To use this method:

  • Take olive oil in a bowl and warm it.
  • Put a few drops of the warm oil in the affected ear with the help of a clean dropper.
  • Lie on the other side of the affected ear for 10 minutes.
  • Sit up and tilt the ear downward.
  • The water, as well as oil, will drain out.

10. Use Alcohol and Vinegar Ear Drops

The acid present in the mixture of alcohol and vinegar helps in breaking down the cerumen (present in the earwax) which might be holding the water.

The alcohol helps in drying the water quickly and also responsible for the evaporation of water inside the ear. This method works best for individuals who are prone to swimmer’s ears.

Do not try this method at home in case you have a punctured eardrum.

Generally, you may follow the mentioned steps below on how to use this method carefully at home.

  • Make an ear drop solution of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar.
  • Put this solution about one tablespoon in your affected ear with the help of ear dropper.
  • Wait for 30 seconds then carefully drain out the solution.
  • This solution is not only for ear moisture removal but it will also help your ear to not get infected.

11. Chew for Sometime

When water gets stuck in your the Eustachian tubes then chewing may help you. As chewing motion relieve tension in your eustachian tubes.

Chew for some time then tilt your head to the side that doesn’t have water in it, then quickly tilt your head to the other side. You can use chewing gum, chewing candy, etc for it. This will free the blockage of Eustachian Tube.

12. Yawn

Like chewing gum, this will also help free up the Eustachian tube from trap fluid. This motion can affect the trapped water in your ear and may help to ease the tension by draining the water.

By simply yawning you may pop the bubble of water in your ear sometime.

13. Put Some More Water

This may be sound funny but it really helps you to get out the water from your ear. Do the following steps:

  • Put some more water in your ear to fill it to the top.
  • Then, shake your ear a little bit and let the water stay there for a few seconds.
  • And finally, tilt your head all the other way round.
  • You will see the trapped water will go.

14. Use Over-The-Counter Medications

  • Take 95% isopropyl alcohol solution, such as Swim-Ear or Auto-Dri.
  • Put the drops to your ear as mentioned on the packaging.
  • Wait for 30 sec.
  • Tilt your ear down to drain the affected area.

15. Consult a Professional

When nothing goes useful for you then you can visit the hearing professional. The audiologists can get the trapped fluid out very easily with their tools.


What Needs To Be Avoided?

If the water is in the ear for a long period of time, It may develop an infection. It is generally caused by polluted water. People who use to swim are at more risk if the water is containing high levels of bacteria, such as a lake.

Swimming pools are generally safer as the bacteria and pH levels are usually checked regularly. If at all these home remedies aren’t working for you, it’s better not to resort.

Avoid using earbuds, finger, or anything to dig into your ear as this may make the matter worse by :

  • Increasing the chances of bacteria growth.
  • Water can reach deeper into the ear.
  • The eardrum may be punctured.
  • It can lead to ear canal injury.

It is a well-said phrase that precaution is better than cure. So we must know some tips to prevent water from getting trapped in the ear.

Do’s and Don’ts

  • Make sure you dry out your external ear with a soft towel.
  • Tilt your head and pull earlobe. By pulling earlobe the water will flow out because it helps in straighten your ear canal.
  • Do not use cotton swabs because wet earwax can be pushed by cotton swabs.
  • Don`t use your huge fingernails because it would damage the skin of your ear canal.
  • Do not use any drops of hydrogen peroxide if you have a ruptured eardrum.

Tips To Prevent Water From Getting Trapped In The Ear

As you know the best and easiest methods to get water out of your ear, you can even apply this method which may require only a few extra things to purchase.

The wet ear can cause infection and many complications, so it’s important to dry down your ear. When you bath or swim then take care of some following tips:

The following can create conditions that promote infection:

  • Excess moisture in the ear
  • Scratches or cuts in the ear canal
  • Allergies to hair products or jewelry

Below are two tips for you to protect your ear while swimming:

1. Earplugs

To keep your ear safe from the water you may need some sort of ear protection devices. For which you can keep a pair of earplugs while you are going to swim. Just insert those earplugs in your ear and you are good to go. These will keep your ear safe even if you are in the water for an extended duration of time.

Earplugs for Swimming
Earplugs for Swimming

2. Swimming Caps

Another option to keep your gear safe from water while you swim or bath is that you may wear a swim cap. It can be pulled till down your ear and protect it against water entering into your ear canal.

Swimming Cap
Swimming Cap

There are varieties of swimming caps available in the market, which you can choose according to your need.


Wet Ear: Reason For Infection Or Pain

An ear infection occurred in the middle ear can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. A person may get itching and pain due to this infection. The infection creates pressure in the small space between the eardrum and back of the throat causing perforated eardrum. Common causes of earaches and ear pain include:

Some earaches can have severe reasons behind them:

  • Tumors
  • Cellulitis, a type of skin problem due to piercing.

Earwax can be formed by the water trapped in the ear so it is necessary to know the tricks to remove the ear wax from the ear.

How To Remove Earwax From The Ear

With the use of an earwax removal kit or with the aid of trained professional earwax can be removed.

It is generally advised not to use a cotton stab to remove earwax as it pushes the earwax more inside which may damage eardrum more.

1. Warm Water

The clogged ear can be unclogged by flushing warm water into the ear. Fill a syringe with warm water, and squeeze the warm water in the ear while pulling down the earlobe. Drain the water from the ear after 10 minutes which will now be followed by the excess build-up earwax.

2. Olive Oil

It is a remedy to help soften excess earwax build-up. Firstly warm up the pure olive oil then drop two to three drops of the oil into the clogged ear, with the help of ear dropper.

Wait for 10 minutes and when the earwax has softened enough gently remove the earwax and oil from the ear with the help of tissue paper or soft cloth.

The same method can be applied with the help of baby oil or mineral.

You can get more info by visiting this link: Earwax Removal Methods

You can take a hearing test if needed.


How To Prevent Moist Ears?

The skin in the human ear is highly stimulating with neural fibers and very sensitive to the touch. Excessive moisture, some dead skin, extra earwax can also make you a hearing patient. Untreated ear infections can lead to unnecessary pain and permanent hearing loss. There are some concepts of ear care, such as:

  • The skin of the ear should be dry but not too much dry.
  • The ear canal should also be clean and free of all remains. Even a strand of hair in the ear canal can be the reason for itching and pain.
  • The tissue should be lubricated naturally by ear wax or by oils, creams, or glycerin.
  • Use earbuds while swimming.
  • Avoid staying in the water for an extended duration of time.
  • Avoid any type of spray near your ear and surrounding area.

When Refer To Doctor?

When your ear is in contact with more water then it can infect your ear canal with bacteria. So the most important thing is getting water out of your ear which can either infect your ear or can result in a hearing loss problem.

If ignored, then it may cause a ringing problem in your ear, then you must consult with an audiologist for hearing tests.

After a proper check-up, they’ll suggest treatment related to hearing impairment and they may also suggest to you the best Hearing Aids in order to overcome this problem.

It may be necessary to consult an ear specialist if:

  • An ear infection has not gone away 10-14 days after using antibiotic ear drops
  • The person has lost their hearing
  • The infections persistently reoccur

You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need any assistance or you have a query regarding How to Remove Water from Ears or Hearing Loss, feel free to call us at +91-9327901950. We are always here to help you.


Inference

There are different ways to treat a disease or a problem. The way of treating can vary from person to person. One method of treating a person could be different from another.

So choose wisely while treating yourself on your own. Otherwise, concerned the doctor if you are not aware of what to do. Book your appointment with us.

We provide the best treatment with the team of specialists. Confirm your booking with us. For more details contact us on our toll-free number +91-9327901950.

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