What to Know About Swimmer’s Ear

With the hottest days of summer approaching, you might have plans to spend time at the beach or lake. If you’ve had swimmer’s ear before, though, you know that it can be frustrating and even keep you away from your favorite water-based activities. If you haven’t had swimmer’s ear, then it can be helpful to know how to prevent it and treat it, should it occur. Protecting yourself from swimmer’s ear and treating it promptly can help you maintain healthy hearing for years to come, so here’s what to know about this common infection and how a Doctor of Audiology can help.

What is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear is named accordingly because it’s common in people who spend time in lakes, pools, or rivers. It’s actually a type of ear infection caused by bacteria or fungi. It occurs in the ear canal, or the small canal between your outer and middle ear. Although a swimmer’s ear is typically mild and can be easily treated by your doctor, it can become serious and potentially even impact your long-term hearing ability.

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear happens when water becomes trapped in the very small space we call the ear canal. Because bacteria and fungi thrive in moisture, they can begin to grow and cause infection. If the water comes from a lake, pond, or river, it may already be home to bacteria or fungi – but swimmer’s ear can occur even from being in a chlorinated pool or hot tub. Swimmer’s ear is sometimes more common in children because of the more compact anatomy that makes it easier for water to get trapped.

What are the Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

• Symptoms of swimmer’s ear are usually very noticeable, even if the infection is mild. Some of the most common symptoms include:
• Pain or achiness in the ear or side of the face
• Itchiness
• A feeling of fullness or something in the ear
• Redness and swelling
• Decreased hearing ability

If your infection is more severe, you might even experience a slight fever or swollen lymph nodes around the ear or upper neck. In this case, you should see a medical professional right away.

How to Treat Swimmer’s Ear

Luckily, swimmer’s ear is very easy to treat. Your Doctor of Audiology will examine the area and, if necessary, refer you to a physician who will prescribe antibiotic ear drops or corticosteroids depending on the severity. To ease any pain, you can simply take over-the-counter painkillers. Although it may seem minor, swimmer’s ear will not go away on its own (and can even get worse), so it’s still important to seek help from a healthcare professional if you notice even mild symptoms.

How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear

Although some people are more prone to getting swimmer’s ear, there are a few ways you can reduce your risk. Here are a few important ways to prevent infection when you spend time on the water this summer:

• Dry your ears thoroughly with a clean towel after swimming
• Wear earplugs while in the water
• Avoid sticking anything into the ear canal
• Avoid lakes, ponds, rivers, or other natural bodies of water that are known to be polluted
• Meet with a Doctor of Audiology about suggestions to prevent infection

Schedule an Appointment

Swimmer’s ear doesn’t have to sideline your summer plans! Schedule an appointment with our Doctors of Audiology to get answers and learn more about how to prevent infection. Give us a call or request a consultation through our website!