What Is Swimmer’s Ear and How to Avoid It This Summer

With summer in full swing, many of us are eager to spend more time in the ocean or pool while on vacation.

But experts are warning that too much time in the water or not drying your ears properly afterward can lead to a condition known as swimmer’s ear. Left untreated, it can cause serious issues such as hearing loss, recurring infections, or even damage to the bone and cartilage.

To help you stay safe this summer, Dr. Jenn Schumacher, an audiologist at hearing aid specialist ReSound explained what swimmer’s ear is, the warning signs to watch for, and when it’s time to seek treatment.

What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection that occurs in the ear canal and can be caused by either bacteria or fungi.

It gets its name because regular swimmers are more likely to develop the condition. However, as temperatures rise and more people spend time in pools while on vacation, anyone can be at risk. It’s especially common in children.

In fact, a recent study revealed that around 1 in 10 (10%) people will experience swimmer’s ear at some point in their lives.

The condition develops when water becomes trapped in the ear canal, creating a moist environment where bacteria can grow and lead to infection.

While it’s more common among frequent swimmers, other causes include:

• Spending time in warm, humid, or damp environments that lead to moisture build up in the ear
• Cleaning or scratching your ear canal with your fingers, which can remove protective earwax and introduce bacteria
• Using dirty earbuds or uncleaned hearing aids that may carry bacteria. While these devices don’t directly cause infections, they can increase the risk

Symptoms

The symptoms of swimmer’s ear can include, but are not limited to:

• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Ear pain that may worsen over time
• Fever
• Fluid draining from your ear
• Itchiness in the ear
• Redness and swelling of the outer ear
• Swollen lymph nodes around your ear or upper neck

Treatment for swimmer’s ear

Complications from swimmer’s ear are rare, especially if symptoms are treated early.

Treatment is typically performed by your physician or otolaryngologist (ENT doctor), who will examine your ear for redness, swelling, and other signs of infection or damage.

If you have fluid draining from your ear, a sample may be taken to determine the cause. Bacterial and fungal infections require different treatments.

In most cases, your healthcare provider will prescribe ear drops to clear the infection, depending on its type.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can also ease any discomfort.

It’s important to note that swimmer’s ear will not go away on its own. If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as:

• Chronic and long-term ear infections
• Deep tissue infections, where the infection spreads into deeper layers of the skin
• Bone or cartilage damage, if the infection spreads to surrounding areas

How to look after your ears this summer to help prevent swimmer’s ear

There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your risk of swimmer’s ear this summer.

Dry your ears properly
After swimming or bathing, make sure to dry your ears thoroughly. Use a clean towel or a hairdryer on a low setting, held at a safe distance.

Avoid swimming in freshwater
Ponds, lakes, and rivers often contain more bacteria than regularly maintained pools. To reduce your risk, stick to properly treated pool water whenever possible.

Don’t stick anything into your ear canal
Your ears are self-cleaning. Earwax helps protect against infection and removes debris. Inserting objects can disrupt this balance, increase infection risk, or even cause blockages.

Drain water from your ears
Gently tilt your head from side to side after swimming to help drain trapped water and reduce moisture buildup.

Wear earplugs
Earplugs can help prevent water and chlorine from entering your ears. Be sure to clean them thoroughly between uses to avoid introducing bacteria. You can have custom swim plugs made for you by an audiologist.