Why Does Swimming Cause Ear Pain?

Swimming can cause ear pain when water gets trapped in the ear canal, creating conditions for an infection called swimmer’s ear. Other causes include pressure changes while diving, earwax buildup, and irritation from pool chemicals.

Although mild discomfort may resolve once trapped water drains, persistent pain can indicate an infection or injury that requires medical attention.

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What Causes Ear Pain After Swimming?

Several conditions can cause ear discomfort during or after swimming.

1. Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal that commonly develops when moisture gets trapped and bacteria multiply. Symptoms may appear hours or days after swimming as inflammation develops.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain when pulling the outer ear or pressing the small cartilage in front of the ear canal
• Itching, redness, or swelling
• Fluid or discharge from the ear
• A blocked sensation or muffled hearing

Swimmer’s ear differs from a middle ear infection, which develops behind the eardrum and often follows a respiratory illness. Learn more about how to tell if your child has an ear infection.

2. Trapped Water

Water trapped in the ear canal can cause fullness, muffled hearing, or mild discomfort. It often drains naturally, but prolonged moisture can irritate the ear canal and increase infection risk.

3. Pressure Changes While Diving

Diving can cause ear pain when the Eustachian tubes cannot equalize pressure between the middle ear and the surrounding water. This condition, called ear barotrauma, may cause sharp pain, fullness, muffled hearing, or dizziness.

People with nasal congestion, allergies, or Eustachian tube dysfunction may have greater difficulty equalizing pressure. Severe cases can damage the eardrum.

Stop descending if you experience ear pain while diving. Never force pressure equalization.

4. Earwax Buildup

Excess earwax can trap water, causing a blocked sensation or temporary hearing difficulties. Avoid removing earwax with cotton swabs, which can push it deeper or injure the ear canal.

5. Irritation From Pool Chemicals

Chlorine and other pool chemicals can irritate the sensitive skin inside the ear canal, especially in people with eczema or other skin conditions. This can cause itching, dryness, or discomfort without an infection.

How Can You Tell if You Have Swimmer’s Ear?

A common sign of swimmer’s ear is pain when you touch, pull, or press the small cartilage in front of the ear canal. Itching, discharge, swelling, and temporary hearing changes may also occur.

Unlike discomfort caused by trapped water, swimmer’s ear symptoms often worsen as inflammation progresses.

However, these symptoms can overlap with other ear conditions. A healthcare professional can examine the ear canal and eardrum to determine the cause.

Resource: mayoclinic.org

How Do You Safely Remove Water From Your Ear?

If your ear feels clogged after swimming, try these gentle techniques:

• Tilt your head: Lean toward the affected ear and gently pull your earlobe in different directions to encourage drainage.
• Dry the outer ear: Use a clean, soft towel, and don’t insert anything into the ear canal.
• Use a hair dryer carefully: Use the lowest heat and fan settings, and keep the dryer several inches from your ear.

Avoid cotton swabs, hairpins, or other objects that could damage the ear canal.

Important: Do not use ear-drying drops without medical guidance if you have ear tubes, a perforated eardrum, ear drainage, or a suspected infection.

How Is Swimmer’s Ear Treated?

Doctors typically treat swimmer’s ear with prescription antibiotic ear drops, sometimes combined with anti-inflammatory medication.

Depending on the infection’s severity, treatment may include:

• Prescription ear drops
• Appropriate pain relief
• Professional ear canal cleaning
• An ear wick if swelling prevents drops from reaching the affected area

Oral antibiotics are generally unnecessary unless the infection extends beyond the ear canal or certain medical risk factors are present.

Keep the affected ear dry during treatment and follow your healthcare professional’s instructions about returning to swimming.

Can Swimmer’s Ear Go Away on Its Own?

Mild irritation may resolve on its own, but you should have a healthcare professional evaluate suspected swimmer’s ear because untreated infections can worsen.

People with diabetes or weakened immune systems should seek prompt medical attention for symptoms of swimmer’s ear because they have a greater risk of serious complications.

How Can You Prevent Ear Pain After Swimming?

Protecting your ears from excess moisture and irritation can help reduce swimming-related discomfort.

• Keep your ears dry: Gently dry the outer ears and tilt your head to drain water after swimming.
• Consider swimming earplugs: Well-fitting earplugs or custom swim molds may help prevent swimmer’s ear from recurring. Don’t use ordinary swimming earplugs for scuba diving.
• Avoid inserting objects into your ears: Cotton swabs can damage the protective skin in the ear canal.
• Take precautions when diving: Avoid diving with significant nasal congestion or difficulty equalizing ear pressure.
• Ask about preventive ear drops: Some swimmers may benefit from drying drops, but they are unsuitable for people with certain ear conditions.

Resource: cdc.gov

When Should You See an ENT Specialist?

Schedule a medical evaluation if you experience persistent or worsening ear pain, recurring infections, ear drainage, swelling, or hearing difficulties.

Seek urgent medical attention for severe pain, fever, significant swelling, or redness spreading beyond the ear.

Sudden hearing loss, severe dizziness, or bloody drainage after diving requires urgent medical evaluation. Seek immediate evaluation for sudden hearing loss, even without pain.

An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can examine your ears, determine the cause of discomfort, and recommend appropriate treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Swimming and Ear Pain

Why Does Only One Ear Hurt After Swimming?

One-sided ear pain may occur when water gets trapped in one ear, an infection affects one ear canal, or diving pressure affects each ear differently.

How Long Does Ear Pain After Swimming Last?

Discomfort from trapped water may resolve once it drains. Swimmer’s ear often improves within a few days with appropriate treatment, though full recovery can take longer.

Can You Swim With an Ear Infection?

Swimming is generally discouraged while recovering from swimmer’s ear. Further water exposure may irritate the affected ear and interfere with healing. Ask your healthcare professional when you can safely return to swimming.

Can Swimming Cause Permanent Hearing Loss?

Most swimming-related ear problems do not cause permanent hearing loss. However, severe infections or pressure injuries can occasionally damage the structures.

Does Swimming in a Pool Cause More Ear Infections Than Swimming in a Lake?

Swimmer’s ear can develop after swimming in pools, lakes, or oceans. Risk depends on water quality, prolonged moisture exposure, and the condition of the protective skin in the ear canal. Proper pool maintenance reduces exposure to certain germs but does not eliminate the risk.

Can Children Develop Swimmer’s Ear?

Yes. Swimmer’s ear is common in children who swim frequently. Symptoms may include ear pain, itching, drainage, or discomfort when someone touches the outer ear.

Get Help for Persistent Ear Pain at Colorado ENT & Allergy

Persistent ear pain after swimming may indicate an infection, pressure injury, or another condition requiring medical attention.

If swimming leaves you with recurring or persistent ear discomfort, our team can help identify the cause and recommend appropriate care. Schedule an appointment with Colorado ENT & Allergy to evaluate your symptoms.