Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the ear canal. It happens when water gets trapped inside. This moisture makes it easy for germs to grow. People with swimmer’s ear might feel itching, redness, or pain. It is common in people who swim a lot, but anyone can get it.
At Brant Audiology in Cheyenne, WY, we know how uncomfortable a swimmer’s ear can be, especially for hearing aid users. If your ears are bothering you, we can help. Our team can treat ear problems and make sure your hearing aids work well.
What causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear happens when water stays trapped in the ear canal. Normally, your ears have natural defenses to keep them healthy. The ear produces ear wax, called cerumen, which helps protect the ear from germs. Ear wax acts like a barrier, stopping dirt and bacteria from entering too deeply.
The shape of the ear also helps prevent infection. The ear canal is slightly curved, which helps water drain out. But sometimes, water can get stuck, especially after swimming or bathing. When water stays in the ear, it creates a warm, moist place where bacteria can grow, causing an infection.
Why Do People Get Swimmer’s Ear?
The swimmer’s ear is usually affected by extra moisture. When water stays in the ear canal, it makes it easier for bacteria to grow. This can happen after swimming, bathing, or even sweating.
Another reason people get swimmer’s ear is from small scratches or cuts inside the ear. These tiny injuries can happen if you clean your ears with cotton swabs or scratch them with your fingernails. Bacteria can enter through these cuts, causing an infection.
Some people are also more sensitive to products like hair sprays or shampoos, which can irritate the skin inside the ear and lead to swimmer’s ear.
What Are the Signs of Swimmer’s Ear?
Mild Signs and Symptoms
In the early stages, a swimmer’s ear can cause itching inside the ear. You might notice slight redness or feel some discomfort when touching your ear. There may also be a small amount of clear fluid draining from the ear. The hearing might be a little muffled.
Moderate Progression
As the infection worsens, the pain increases. The redness and swelling inside the ear become more noticeable, and fluid discharge may increase. You might experience more difficulty hearing as swelling blocks the ear canal.
Advanced Progression
In advanced stages, the pain becomes severe. The ear canal can swell shut, and you might have a fever. The infection can even spread to the outer ear or nearby areas.
How is Swimmer’s ear diagnosed?
Swimmer’s ear is usually diagnosed during a visit to your doctor or audiologist. They will look inside your ear using a special tool called an otoscope. This helps them see if the ear canal is red, swollen, or has fluid inside. The doctor may gently touch the ear to check if it causes any pain, which is a common sign of a swimmer’s ear.
In some cases, if the infection is severe or not improving with treatment, the doctor may take a sample of the fluid from the ear to test for bacteria or fungi. This helps them decide the best treatment plan.
How Is Swimmer’s Ear Treated?
Swimmer’s ear is usually treated with ear drops that help fight the infection. These drops may contain antibiotics to kill bacteria, steroids to reduce swelling, or antifungal medicine if fungi cause the infection. It’s important to follow the instructions for using the ear drops to help the ear heal properly.
Your doctor may also recommend keeping the ear dry while it heals. It would help if you avoided swimming or getting water in the ear until the infection clears up. In more serious cases, the doctor may clean out the ear canal to remove fluid or debris that’s causing the infection.
Can Swimmer’s Ear Be Prevented?
Yes, there are several ways to prevent swimmer’s ear. The most important step is to keep your ears dry. After swimming or bathing, gently dry your ears with a towel. You can also tilt your head to help any trapped water escape. Using earplugs while swimming can help keep water out of your ears.
Be careful with what goes into your ears. Avoid using cotton swabs, fingernails, or other objects to clean your ears, as these can cause tiny scratches that make infections more likely. If you use headphones or hearing aids, make sure they are clean and dry.
Protect your ears from irritants like hair sprays, shampoos, or water with high chlorine levels. These products can irritate the skin inside the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection.
If you’ve recently had an ear infection or injury, take extra care to avoid the swimmer’s ear. Give your ears time to heal fully before swimming again.
Swimmers Ears Risk Factors
- Frequent swimming: Spending a lot of time in water, especially in lakes or pools, increases the risk of water getting trapped in your ear.
- Living in a humid environment: High humidity makes it easier for moisture to stay in your ears, increasing the chance of infection.
- Using cotton swabs or objects to clean ears: This can cause small cuts or scratches in the ear canal, which makes it easier for bacteria to grow.
- Skin conditions: Conditions like eczema or psoriasis can make the skin in your ear canal more sensitive and prone to infection.
- Wearing hearing aids or earbuds: These can trap moisture in your ears if not cleaned or dried properly.
Swimmers Ears: Complications
If a swimmer’s ear is not treated properly, it can lead to some serious complications. One common issue is temporary hearing loss. Swelling or fluid in the ear can block sound from passing through, making it hard to hear clearly. This usually improves once the infection is treated, but it can be frustrating while it lasts.
In some cases, a swimmer’s ear can turn into chronic otitis externa, which is a long-term infection. This means the infection keeps coming back or doesn’t go away easily, requiring more intense treatment.
Another complication is cellulitis, a deeper infection that spreads into the skin around the ear. If left untreated, the infection can affect deeper layers of tissue, leading to pain and swelling.
In rare cases, the infection can spread to the bone and cartilage, damaging the ear and surrounding structures. Even more severe, the infection could potentially spread to nearby parts of the body, like the skull, brain, or nerves, causing life-threatening issues.
Audiologist in Cheyenne, WY
Swimmer’s ear can be painful and may lead to serious complications if not treated in time. If you notice any symptoms like itching, pain, or trouble hearing, it’s important to see an audiologist right away. Early treatment can prevent the infection from getting worse and protect your ears from further damage.
At Brant Audiology in Cheyenne, WY, we are here to help with all your ear care needs. Whether it’s diagnosing a swimmer’s ear, treating infections, or making sure your hearing aids work properly, our team is ready to assist. Don’t wait—if you’re feeling any discomfort in your ears, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
