What are common summer ear problems?

Think about all those times you or your kids dove deep into the water to try and touch the bottom or played in the warm sand. Trips to the beach and pool create many opportunities for sand in the ear and water-based ear infections for both children and adults. 

What happens when sand gets in my ear?

If sand ends up in your ear while you’re at the beach, don’t fret. Getting sand in the ears can happen to anyone. But is sand in the ears dangerous or can sand in the ears cause infection, you ask? Yes, if not addressed right away.

Particles not cleaned out right after your swim can cause issues. Sand in ears symptoms include:

• Discomfort. You may feel pain in your ear where the sand is.

• Hearing loss. If you notice it’s harder to hear out of one or both ears, this could be a sign that sand is obstructing the ear canal.

• Redness. If you or a friend or family member notice your ear looks irritated, sand may have gotten into your ear.

What should I do if beach sand is stuck in my ear?

If beach sand gets stuck in your ear, avoid using cotton swabs or sharp objects, as these can push the sand deeper and cause injury. Instead, tilt your head to the side and gently pull on your earlobe while shaking your head to help the grains fall out. You can also rinse the ear with clean, body-temperature water using a bulb syringe.

If the sand doesn’t come out, or if you experience pain, fullness, or hearing loss, see a healthcare provider to have it removed safely.

How long can sand stay in your ear?

Sand in the ear is a common annoyance, especially after trips to the beach. For most people, small grains that enter the outer ear canal will work their way out naturally within a few hours or a day, thanks to the ear’s natural cleaning process involving earwax and tiny hairs that push debris outward.

However, if sand becomes trapped deeper in the ear or behind earwax, it can stay for several days. Leaving it in the ear for too long may cause irritation, inflammation, or even infection.

It’s important not to try removing it with cotton swabs or sharp objects, as this can push the sand further in or damage the eardrum. If the sand doesn’t come out on its own, a healthcare professional can safely remove it.

What does sand-like substance in ear mean?

A sand-like substance in the ear is often dried earwax that has broken into small particles. Sometimes, it may also be dried skin or debris from swimming or the beach. If it’s accompanied by itching, pain, discharge, or hearing changes, it could be a sign of an ear infection or another condition that needs medical attention. Avoid using cotton swabs, as they can push material deeper.

If the sensation persists or worsens, consult a hearing care specialist or doctor for safe removal.

Why do I hear a sand sound in ear when moving jaw?

Hearing a “sand-like” or gritty sound in your ear when moving your jaw is usually caused by the way your jaw interacts with the ear’s structures. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your jawbone to your skull, sits very close to the ear canal. When you open or move your jaw, tiny shifts in this joint can create a crunching, popping, or grinding sound.

So, the “sand” sound isn’t actually sand—it’s the combination of small particles or tissue surfaces moving and scraping lightly against each other. It’s similar to the way rubbing two dry grains of sand together makes that faint, crackly noise.

Why do I have ear pain after swimming?

Whenever you submerge in water, the outer ear canal fills with water, and typically, when done swimming, the water drains. Ear pain after swimming can happen if that water doesn’t properly drain or you swam in unclean water. If the pain lingers, this could be a sign the ear is infected and requires treatment.

Why does cold water make my ears hurt?

Ear pain after swimming in cold water is also known as surfer’s ear and occurs because of prolonged exposure to cold water that causes benign bone growth in the ear canal. To help prevent this growth and pain, wear earplugs and a bodysuit with a neoprene hood to keep cold water out of the ear canal.

How to treat ear pain or infections after swimming

When determining the right ear pain after swimming treatment, consider your symptoms.

• If the ear itches: Try using ear drops, applying a warm washcloth or laying a heating pad on the ear.

• If the ear is painful: Consider calling your primary doctor or an otorhinolaryngologist—better known as an ear, nose and throat doctor or ENT—to determine the right course of treatment. 

How do I prevent ear infections after swimming?

To prevent an ear infection after swimming, consider these pre- and post-swim tips:

• Wear a swim cap and/or ear plugs to help keep the ear canal dry;

• Tip your head to alternating sides to help the ear canals dry;

• Use a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting to dry your ears.

How long to avoid swimming after an ear infection

Determining how long to avoid swimming after ear infection depends on when the pain has stopped. Once it’s gone, wait three more days before jumping back in the water.