You shouldn’t have to choose between waves, laps, or underwater adventures and healthy ears. With a few smart habits, you can protect your hearing, avoid painful infections, and keep water time purely joyful.
Why water and wind challenge your ears
Your ear canal is a skinny, skin-lined tunnel with delicate pH and tiny protective oils. Add water, trapped moisture, and sometimes cold wind, and two common problems pop up:
- Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa): water and irritation break down the canal’s defenses, inviting infection.
- Surfer’s ear (external auditory exostosis): repeated cold water and wind spur bony growths that narrow the canal.
- Pressure changes (barotrauma): rapid pressure shifts while diving or flying can strain your eardrum and middle ear.
The good news: most of this is preventable with simple routines and the right gear.
Problem #1: Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) — and how to prevent it
What it is
Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear canal irritation or infection. It can follow a day at the pool, lake, or even vigorous showering. Risk rises if water sits in the canal, if you clean aggressively with cotton swabs, or if you use earbuds that rub the skin frequently.
Pre-water habits
- Use well-fitted swim earplugs that seal comfortably. Silicone flanged or custom-molded plugs are best for repeated swimmers.
- Consider a snug swim cap over plugs for extra splash protection.
- Avoid scratching or swabbing the canal. Cotton swabs push wax deeper and micro-scratch the skin, making infection easier.
Post-water drying routine (the prevention MVP)
- Gently towel the outer ear only. Tilt your head to let water drain; pull the ear slightly up and back to straighten the canal.
- Use a hair dryer on cool or low, held at arm’s length for 20–30 seconds per ear.
- Consider alcohol–acetic acid “drying drops” after water exposure. Commercial versions are widely available. Some people use a half-and-half mix of isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar; only use drops if you’re sure you don’t have a perforated eardrum or ear tubes. If in doubt, ask a clinician first.
Red flags to act on
If you notice increasing ear pain, tenderness when you push on the tragus (the front “nub”), muffled hearing, or drainage, pause water time and connect with a clinician. Fast care helps prevent complications and gets you back in the water sooner.
For frequent swimmers with recurring issues, an audiologist or ENT can check fit of earplugs, advise on safe drops, and recommend a personalized routine.
Problem #2: Surfer’s ear (exostosis) — why warmth is protection
What it is
Exposure to cold water and wind can trigger gradual bony growths inside the ear canal. These growths (exostoses) narrow the canal, trap water, drive recurrent infections, and can cause conductive hearing loss over time. Progression is slow, so prevention often gets ignored—until ears start plugging and infections stack up.
Prevention that works
- Keep the canal warm and dry: use surfing earplugs designed to block water and wind while letting sound and pressure vent. Many surfers wear them every session.
- Add a neoprene hood or cap in cold or windy conditions.
- Protect year-round. Even “mild” water temperatures and wind chill add up across seasons.
- Don’t wait for symptoms. Exostosis builds silently. Consistency now makes future surgery much less likely.
Monitoring
- Get periodic ear canal checks with an ENT or audiologist if you surf, sail, or cold-water swim regularly.
- Consider a baseline hearing test, then recheck every 1–2 years if you’re a heavy water-sport athlete. Early changes are easier to address.
Problem #3: Barotrauma — equalize pressure, protect hearing
What it is
When ambient pressure changes quickly—like descending while scuba diving or during airplane takeoff and landing—air must move through your eustachian tubes to equalize middle-ear pressure. If it can’t, the eardrum and middle ear are stressed. In severe cases (especially in diving), inner-ear structures can be affected, which risks hearing and balance problems.
Prevention for divers
- Equalize early and often. Start on the surface, then every few feet on descent. Techniques include gentle Valsalva (pinch nose, blow softly), Toynbee (pinch nose, swallow), or Frenzel (tongue and throat movement with minimal effort).
- Descend feet-first and slowly. If you can’t equalize, stop, ascend slightly, try again, or abort the dive. Forcing it can injure your ear.
- Skip dives when congested. Colds, sinus infections, and active allergies make equalization unreliable.
- Be cautious with decongestants. Some wear off mid-dive. Discuss your specific situation with a clinician knowledgeable in dive medicine.
- Never use earplugs when scuba diving. They trap air and increase risk. (Surface water-sport plugs are fine; diving is different.)
- Rinse ears with clean, fresh water after ocean or lake dives, then dry as described above to prevent outer ear infection. Drying drops help prevent swimmer’s ear but don’t help equalization.
Prevention for flyers
- Stay awake for descent and chew gum, sip water, or swallow repeatedly.
- Use gentle Valsalva as needed. Specialty “filtered” earplugs may help some people during pressure changes.
- Manage allergies and nasal congestion proactively. A clinician may recommend a nasal steroid or other strategy before flights if you’re a frequent flyer with trouble equalizing.
Smart gear that makes prevention easier
Earplugs for water sports
- Swim plugs: reusable silicone flanged plugs seal reliably for lap swimmers.
- Surfer’s plugs: vented designs block water and wind while maintaining situational awareness.
- Custom-molded plugs: best comfort and seal for frequent swimmers or surfers; ask an audiologist for options.
Note: earplugs are great for surface swimming, surfing, and kayaking—but not for scuba diving.
Drying tools
- Microfiber towel for the outer ear.
- Hair dryer on cool/low at a distance.
- Commercial drying drops (alcohol–acetic formulations). Avoid drops if you’ve had a perforated eardrum, ear surgery, or ear tubes unless a clinician approves.
What to skip
- Cotton swabs and hairpins: they push wax deeper and scratch delicate skin.
- Ear candling: ineffective and risky.
- Aggressive “self-flushing”: unless a clinician recommends it, irrigation can trap water or injure the canal.
Myths vs. facts
- Myth: “Q-tips keep ears clean.” Fact: your ear is self-cleaning. Swabs increase infection risk and can cause wax blockages.
- Myth: “Warm-water surfers don’t get surfer’s ear.” Fact: cold accelerates it, but wind and repeated exposure in milder water still contribute over time.
- Myth: “If equalizing is hard, blow harder.” Fact: forceful Valsalva can damage the ear. Use gentle, frequent techniques or stop and try again.
- Myth: “Swimmer’s ear drops help me equalize.” Fact: drying drops protect the outer ear; they don’t reach or affect the middle ear.
Build your personal prevention plan
Before water
- Pack your plugs, cap/hood, and a small towel.
- Do a quick self-check: any current ear pain, drainage, or severe congestion? If yes, skip the session and get advice.
- For divers and flyers, practice gentle equalization techniques in advance.
After water
- Rinse with clean water if you were in the ocean or lake.
- Tilt, towel the outer ear, and air-dry with a cool hair dryer.
- Use drying drops if appropriate and safe for you.
- Store earplugs clean and dry between uses.
Seasonally
- Cold season coming? Add a neoprene hood or cap to your kit.
- Book an ear health check if you’re a frequent surfer/swimmer or plan a dive trip. Consider a baseline hearing test and plug fitting with an audiologist.
If you’ve had recurring infections, trouble equalizing, or suspect surfer’s ear, a quick visit with an ENT or audiologist can tailor these steps to you and keep your time in the water effortless.
When to get help
- Persistent or severe ear pain, drainage, or fever after water exposure.
- Repeated “plugged ear” sensations, especially if you surf in cold conditions.
- Difficulty equalizing that doesn’t improve with gentle techniques.
- Dizziness, ringing, or sudden changes in hearing after a dive or flight.
These signs deserve timely evaluation. Early attention preserves comfort, hearing, and your season.
The bottom line
Small habits—drying, warmth, smart plugs, and respectful equalization—pay off with big dividends: fewer infections, fewer interruptions, and more days doing what you love. If you want a personalized setup, an audiologist can help with custom swim plugs, safe drop choices, and hearing checks built around your sport.
Further Reading
- Surfer’s Ear and Cold-Water Hearing Loss: Stop Bony Growths Before They Block Your Sound (Hearing Loss) - Pressure-Proof Your Ears: Prevent Barotrauma When You Fly, Drive High, or Dive (Prevention) - Shots That Shield Your Ears: Vaccines That Quietly Protect Hearing (Prevention) - Shots That Shield Your Hearing: The Vaccines Quietly Protecting Your Ears (Prevention)Frequently Asked Questions
Are home-mixed drying drops safe?
A common mix is equal parts isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar, but only use drying drops if you’re certain you don’t have a perforated eardrum, ear tubes, or recent ear surgery. Commercial preparations are convenient and labeled. If you’re unsure about your eardrum status or you have ear pain or drainage, skip drops and check with a clinician.
Can I reverse surfer’s ear without surgery?
No. Exostoses are bony growths; once formed, they don’t shrink. The best strategy is prevention with consistent warmth and water protection. If canals become severely narrowed or infections are frequent, an ENT may discuss surgical removal. Early prevention reduces the chances you’ll need it.
What’s the safest way to equalize when diving?
Equalize early and often using gentle methods like Valsalva (pinch nose, blow softly), Toynbee (pinch nose, swallow), or Frenzel. Descend slowly, feet-first, and never force it. If you can’t equalize, stop and ascend slightly or abort the dive. Diving with congestion increases risk; when in doubt, postpone and get guidance from a dive-savvy clinician.
Should I use cotton swabs after swimming to dry my ears?
No. Swabs can push wax deeper and scratch the ear canal, making infections more likely. Instead, tilt your head, gently towel the outer ear, use a cool hair dryer at a distance, and consider drying drops if appropriate.
