Q: What is swimmer’s ear?

 

A: It is an infection in the ear canal, called “otitis externa”.  The reason it is called swimmer’s ear is because it often occurs after getting water in the ear.  It can occur without swimming, especially in hearing aid wearers, but the best way to prevent it is to keep the ears as dry as possible.  

So, you can do this before swimming by plugging your ears.  There are a few ways to do this:

  1. Mack’s ear plugs.  You can get these at most pharmacies or on Amazon here.  Get the silicon ones that completely block the canal.

  2. Custom molded ear plugs.  Our audiologists can make these for your or your child.  

  3. Make your own!  Take a cotton ball, rip it in half, and cover it with Vaseline.  

Also, you can clear out the water with “swim ear” drops like these.  It displaces the water and then evaporates.  You can get these at most pharmacies.  Also, you can make your own by mixing half rubbing alcohol and half plain vinegar.  Rarely, patients have holes in their eardrums, called a “perforation”. Using swim ear drops when you have a perforation usually stings, so it may be better just to focus on plugging the ears in that situation. 

Also, you can dry out the water.  You could either use a device called an ear dryer, but that can be a little pricey ($60 on Amazon).  I prefer to use a hair dryer and use the “cool” setting and blow some air in the ears for 30 seconds or so.  

So all the prevention aside, if you do get swimmer’s ear...I’m sorry.  It hurts really bad.  

Come see me and I’ll get rid of it.   

 
 
 

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