by Mastodon on December 13th, 2008

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I have had water stuck in my ear (swimmer's ear) for about a week now, could this damage my hearing?

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by The Chief on December 14th, 2008
Water can remain in the ear for many days, even more than a week.

If the ear is working properly, and there are no problems with wax build-up or physical considerations like Eustachian Tube deformities, punctured/ruptured tympanic membrane (ear drum), or pre-existing infections and swelling, then there is usually no problem with retention of water in the ear.

However, swimmer's ear is not simply water retained in the ear. It is an actual infection, typically promoted by wet ear canals, hence the term "swimmer's ear". Your ears work best when they are dry.

Water in the ear is a simple drainage problem. I say simple, but it CAN be annoying and take a while to get it out. Tilting the head, shaking the head, sleeping with that ear down, and so forth are some ways of getting the water out. If this persistes for very many days without being able to get the water out, then a doctor should be consulted. This may lead to an ear infection and they really suck.

Swimmers ear is an infection, however, which needs to be treated with medication to eliminate.

Not that I had multiple ear surgeries and know anything about this kind of stuff...

:):)
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- I see your point in the detailed answer Chief. +6.
  Swimmer's ear is a condition where the infection has already taken place - I never know there was such a condition.
  Fortunately I have never had to experience this problem. So I simply was not aware.
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  by Suby the Coat on December 14th, 2008
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by Poohbear1427 on December 13th, 2008
Swimmers ear is not water in the ear canal it is actually an infection of the ear canal...
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by Suby the Coat on December 13th, 2008
Water never remain stuck in anybody's ears for a week. There are inbuilt drains which will take care of that. As long as it is clean water that gets into the ear absolutely no worry on that count.
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- Actually, water CAN remain in the ear for many days, even more than a week. There are a lot of variables to consider with this.
  .
  And the longer the ear remains wet, the greater the possibility of infection (swimmers ear is actually an infection, brought on by the ear being wet for too long, allowing bacteria to grow). The ears work best when dry.
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  by The Chief on December 14th, 2008
- Sorry, Chief. It was my understanding that clean water does get into the ears and gets drained out naturally. If it doesn't get drained out and remains in the ear for long the possibility of infections are indeed great.
  More than stagnant water elsewhere. Here the wax in the ear too has to be considered as a pollutant of the water. Is it the wax that blocks the drainage in the ear?
  I have had river water getting into my ears quite often while swimming. Fortunately I live close to the mountains where the river originates. There is no pollution. My answer was based on my experience alone.
  I do agree that ears work best when dry.
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  by Suby the Coat on December 14th, 2008
- No appologies necessary, my friend!
  .
  It is possible for ear wax to affect natural drainage, depending on how much and how it has settled in the ear canal.
  .
  Other things that could affect drainage are existing ear infections, punctures/ruputres of the ear drum, and Eustachian tube problems, to name a few.
  .
  I've had more than my fair share of ear infections, and several ear surgeries as well, so it's something I've learned over the years.
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  by The Chief on December 14th, 2008
- I am sorry to hear that. About the repeated infections and surgeries I mean.
  Somehow it is from the illnesses we suffer or the ones that the ones close to us suffer that we get to reading and learning about a particular problem.
  We read up all that is available and get more information from the doctors.
  I hope your hearing is not affected in anyway...
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  by Suby the Coat on December 14th, 2008
- Well, I have had some pretty severe hearing loss, and my last set of operations corrected a lot of this. My hearing is better after those, but it will never be the same again.
  .
  I'm grateful for what I have though! I would miss out on so much without it.
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  by The Chief on December 14th, 2008
- Do maintain the hearing you have and improve upon it to the extent possible.
  Best of luck.
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  by Suby the Coat on December 14th, 2008
- Thank you! I take as good care of my hearing as I can.
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  by The Chief on December 14th, 2008
- Chief:)
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  by Suby the Coat on December 14th, 2008
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by Firebrand on December 13th, 2008
You need to get it out the ear canal can become infected quite easily .
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by Marky Mark on December 13th, 2008
I think your ear will become infected if water stays in it so long and severe ear infections can damage your hearing. You should see a doctor to suck out the water.
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- Right answer.
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  by Jessica on December 13th, 2008
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by Jessica on December 13th, 2008
Only if it gets infected and you do not treat the infection for awhile.
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by Kimmy on December 13th, 2008
inclince your head, pour more water into the same ear (till its almost full) and then turn over_all the water will flow out.
Works well with no pain or fuss.
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by AnonymouslyMe on December 13th, 2008
Yes, actually, I'm pretty sure it can. you can get some ear-drying solution (just droplets that you drop in your ear) at your local pharmacy. They'll fix your problem pretty quickly :) lol
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I have had water stuck in my ear (swimmer's ear) for about a week now, could this damage my hearing?

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I have had water stuck in my ear (swimmer's ear) for about a week now, could this damage my hearing?

Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

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