How Can I Get Water Out of My Ears?

It happens to every swimmer occasionally—water gets trapped deep inside the ear canal, muffling sound and sometimes causing discomfort. Depending on the shape of your ear canal and whether you wear ear plugs while swimming, you may experience the sensation of water rolling around inside your head on the daily. Whenever water gets in your ear, it’s a good idea to remove it before it leads to infection or other potential problems.

There are several ways you can try to drain water that’s gotten trapped in your ear canal, and generally starting with the least invasive option is best, as the inside of the ear is a delicate place that can be injured easily.

1. Tilt your head and let gravity help. Gently tilt your head to the side with the affected ear facing the ground. Sometimes, this is enough to encourage the water to drain. Some swimmers swear by shaking their head to encourage the water’s surface tension to break, but this can be hard on your neck. Instead, try pulling gently on your earlobe and jiggling it to encourage the water to move. You can also try lying down with the affected ear facing downward for a few minutes and let gravity do its thing.
2. Use a towel or tissue to draw water out. If the preceding doesn’t help, try inserting a dry towel or tissue into your ear canal, but be careful not to push it in too deeply. Again, tilt your head, and the absorbent material may help draw the water out. While it might be tempting to just stick a Q-tip into your ear canal, avoid this temptation, as cotton swabs can push the water deeper into your ear canal or can even puncture your ear drum if you insert them too deeply.
3. Try a warm compress. You can also try applying a warm compress to the outside of your ear, as that can help the water evaporate and can open blood vessels in the ear canal to change its shape subtly and allow the water to dribble out.
4. Take a page from the scuba diver’s playbook. Tilt your head to the side and then pinch your nostrils shut while gently blowing out through your nose. This can sometimes help to force the water out with the change in pressure inside the ear canal.
5. Reach for ear drops or rubbing alcohol. Over-the-counter ear drops are available at most drugstores and can help break up and evaporate the trapped water. A few drops of rubbing alcohol can also help dry out the ear canal.
6. Visit a doctor. If the water remains trapped for an extended period, or if you experience pain, discomfort, or signs of infection such as discharge or fever, it's time to talk to your health care provider. Bacteria can get trapped inside the ear canal, and in that warm, moist environment, infection can develop quickly. Your doctor can help you safely remove the trapped water and treat any infection that may have started.

It’s worth repeating: Don’t insert anything sharp or anything too deeply into your ear, as you can risk permanent injury or damage to the eardrum and ear canal by doing so. If the problem persists or if you have concerns about your ear health, consult a health care professional for additional care and advice.

If you notice that you retain water in your ears regularly and have difficulty removing it, try using properly fitted ear plugs to prevent problems.