Swimming is one of the best parts of summer. But long after you’ve cooled down and dried off, you might be left with a niggling feeling – there is still water in your ear.
Your ear may feel full or blocked and sounds may be muffled. You may even hear some gurgling or rustling noises.
While water usually drains naturally, a few tips can help speed things up and prevent swimmer’s ear, a common infection after swimming.
Why water gets stuck
You might think your ear canal is a straight tube, but it’s not. It bends twice, and some people’s canals are naturally narrower than others.
The ear canal is lined with hair and wax for protection. It can also develop extra bone growth (exostoses) from years of cold-water swimming, sometimes known as “surfer’s ear”, which can make it even narrower.
When you swim, water can easily get past all these curves and barriers when you dip your head under water or get splashed. But getting it out afterwards can be tricky.
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Try the simplest things first
Wiggle and tilt
Gently tug your earlobe up and down while tipping the blocked ear towards your shoulder. This straightens the ear canal and lets gravity help drain water out.
Lie on your side
Lay on your side on a towel for a few minutes, then roll over to the other side. Gravity will help again. In summer, warmth from the sun and towel can also help water in the ear dry faster.
Cup and pump
Press your slightly cupped palm over your ear to form a seal, then gently push and release to create a vacuum effect. You can also press the tragus (the firm skin in front of your ear canal) over the opening of your ear canal several times to encourage movement and drainage.
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Do I need ear drops?
If none of these tips have worked so far, you might need some ear drops designed to dry out your ears.
Typically, these contain alcohol, which helps water evaporate faster. You can get these over th