Summer is here, and it’s time to jump in the pool, ocean, lake, or river nearest you and enjoy the sun. Before you head out with your sunscreen and towel, be sure to pack earplugs and know how to spot signs of swimmer’s ear and surfer’s ear—read on to learn more.
What is swimmer’s ear?
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal that usually occurs when water from swimming gets trapped in the ear. This creates a dark, moist environment where bacteria can thrive.
Early signs of swimmer’s ear include itching, redness, or clear fluid drainage. As the infection progresses, symptoms may include ear pain, a feeling of fullness, yellowish discharge from the ear, or swollen lymph nodes around the ear.
Swimmer’s ear can be diagnosed by a doctor and is usually treated with antibiotic ear drops and instructions to keep the ear dry.
Preventing swimmer’s ear
Using earplugs when swimming is the best way to prevent a swimmer’s ear infection. If they get wet, be sure to dry them, and if you feel water inside the ear, lie down on that side to help it drain. If you frequently get swimmer’s ear, talk to your healthcare provider about prevention strategies.
If you wear hearing aids and often find water trapped in your ears after swimming, earplugs are especially recommended. They also serve as a reminder to remove your hearing aids before swimming. If you have an active swimmer’s ear infection, consult your healthcare provider before using your hearing aids—and avoid swimming altogether until the infection has completely cleared.
What is surfer’s ear?
Surfer’s ear is another condition that you should be aware of—especially if you regularly swim in cold water, such as oceans or lakes. Regular exposure to cold water causes bony growths inside the ear canal called exostoses.
Over time, these growths may lead to conductive hearing loss, a full feeling in the ear, fluid drainage, and other symptoms. Surgery is an option for removing the exostoses.
Preventing surfer’s ear
Surfer’s ear can be prevented by wearing earplugs or a neoprene hood that covers your ears and keeps the water out during your cold swims, kayaking, sailing, diving, or surfing. HearingLife makes custom earplugs for swimming and surfing that can help!
One more note: If you wear hearing aids, check out this advice for what to do if they get wet or sandy during your summer adventures.
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