Water can infiltrate the ears during a shower, a swim in the pool, a dip at the beach or while cleaning your ears. In most cases, the water flows out of the ears by itself and does not cause any problem.

In some cases, however, water can get stuck in your ear, generating the sensation of plugged or muffled ears. This happens when water flows through the ear canal and settles in the ear. It works its way through gravity into the eardrum and builds up there. Due to trapped water, the eardrum cannot move properly, no longer fully transmitting sound. 

The sensation of having water in the ears is common. Water in your ears can lead to a muffled ear sensation, characterized by a rustling noise through the ear canal that sounds or even feels like gurgling to the eardrum. This sensation usually lasts a short time without consequences.

However, when the water does not escape from your ears, it can remain there for days and cause problems such as:

• Tinnitus;
• Vertigo and dizziness;
• Ear pain;
• Ear inflammation as swimmer's ear.

If fresh, salt or chemically-treated swimming pool water gets stuck in your ear, the presence of salt and chlorine could trigger inflammation of the ear canal. This happens because these substances break down the ear’s protective film, making it more vulnerable for pathogens to strike. Furthermore, water in your ears can alter temperature regulation, making your ear canal more vulnerable to the effects of cold during the winter months.

A clogged sensation in the ear after a shower is often caused by trapped water, which can create a feeling of fullness, muffled hearing, or even mild discomfort. Water can get stuck in the ear canal due to surface tension, especially if earwax is present, preventing proper drainage.

To relieve this, try tilting your head to the affected side, gently pulling on your earlobe, or creating a vacuum by pressing and quickly releasing your palm over the ear. Yawning or chewing gum may also help open the Eustachian tubes. If the sensation persists, it could indicate excess earwax buildup or an underlying issue, and a doctor may need to evaluate it.

You can try to get water out of your ear in many ways, here are the best ones:

• Shaking or tilting your head. You can also try soaking the water up by gently inserting the tip of a paper tissue into the ear canal. However, this mustn't be excessively thick, as it could irritate the walls of your ear canal;
• Gently pull on your ear: Pull the earlobe slightly while tilting the head towards your shoulder to increase the size of your ear cavity, making it easier for the to water roll out;
• Use a hair dryer. Using a hair dryer can also help dry your ear canal properly and get rid of the water inside the ears. Some precautions are necessary, though, such as keeping the hair dryer a sufficient distance from the ear and using it on the lowest level of heat to avoid burns and other related problems;
• Create a vacuum: Stand with the affected ear facing downwards and press the palm of your hand on it for short intervals until water starts to come out. Remember to keep it pointing towards the floor, otherwise, you risk pushing the water deeper into the ear canal. This method will create a vacuum that will draw the water toward your hand;
• Yawn or chew: Yawning and chewing can make it easier to remove water from your ear canal. The water in your ears stops in an area called Eustachian Tube. Yawning and chewing make it possible to release the fluid through mandibular muscles movement outside the ear;
• Valsalva Maneuver: When done properly, the Valsalva Maneuver is a technique that can be used to help open a closed Eustachian Tube to help fluid flow out of your ears. First, close your mouth, pinch your nose closed, and then blow or press air for a few seconds, keeping your mouth and nose shut. Be careful not to blow too hard, as this can damage your eardrum;
• Ear drops and sprays: If the above steps are ineffective and the muffled ear sensation does not go away after a couple of days, a plug of wax has likely formed inside the ear. This earwax buildup may be treated with ear drops or sprays, which can help soften and drain it. 

Water in your ear not only can create unpleasant ear pain but  can also be dangerous if it remains stuck in the ear for a long period of time. If ear inflammation has already occurred, it is strongly recommended to book an appointment with a hearing care specialist, who will recommend the correct treatment for you.

If water is stuck deep in your ear, here are some methods to help remove it:

1. Hydrogen peroxide: Put a drop of 3% hydrogen peroxide in your ear to help dissolve any debris or wax that might be blocking water drainage. Let it sit for a few minutes, then tilt your head to let the liquid drain out;
2. Ear drops: You can use over-the-counter ear drops designed to remove moisture. These usually contain alcohol or boric acid, which helps dry out the trapped water;
3. Using a syringe: If the water doesn’t move, you can try gently rinsing the ear with lukewarm water using a bulb syringe, but only if you're sure the eardrum is not damaged.

If water remains inside your ear and the sensation of muffled hearing persists for several days, it is likely the earwax inside the ear canal has absorbed some of the water, enlarging and obstructing the ear. Some of the risks include:

• Pain and itching. Pain and itching in the ear can indicate an ear infection caused by bacteria in the water. In this case, an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT) can prescribe an antibiotic if necessary and remove the remaining water from your ear. Failure to treat these warning signs can, in the worst case, lead to hearing loss;
• Temperature Regulation Issues. Your ear canal can become more vulnerable to the effects of cold during the winter months, as the presence of water in the ears alters temperature regulation;
• Ear infections. The presence of water can over-soften the skin of the ear canal. If the water contains soap, it can alter your skin’s lipid protection, exposing it to inflammation and infections. Ear infections can be extremely painful. If your ear pain does not go away within a couple of days, an appointment with a hearing care specialist is necessary.

Here are some tips to prevent water from entering your ear and getting stuck:

• Dry your ears well: Every time you’re done swimming and after completing a bath or a shower. Remove any excess water from your ear with a clean cloth while tilting your head from side to side;
• Use swimming earplugs: If you are fond of swimming or diving, swimming earplugs can prevent water from entering your ear, avoiding possible complications. Silicone earplugs, available at your nearest participating Miracle-Ear hearing center, are particularly effective at protecting the ear from water penetration. Choose from waterproof earplugs for adults and special earplugs for children to help protect your ears from water penetration;
• Avoid excessive ear cleaning. This can damage the natural protective film inside your ear.

If the self-care tips in this article do not resolve the issue and the water in your ear remains, have your ears checked by your healthcare provider or hearing care specialist, who may be able to drain the water and dry the ear canal, if necessary. If the water remains stuck in ear for a long time, it can make its way deeper into your ear, even up to the eardrum, resulting in possible complications. Our advice to you is to dry your ears out as quickly as possible at the first sign of water being present.

Experiencing ear pain in addition to the feeling of muffled ear can be symptoms of Swimmer's Ear. So it is important to book an appointment with your healthcare provider or hearing care professional as soon as possible.