[cactus_farmer]

Not sure where to put this thread.

Everytime after I go swimming I get a complete clog up of both ears which lasts 2-3 weeks. During this time I am SERIOUSLY impaired hearing wise. I can't hear people talking to me unless they're right in front of me so I can semi-lip read. I can't hear traffic. The level of isolation I get from this is akin to wearing an ER-4P with no music playing.
 
It's happened everytime I've gone swimming but admittedly I don't swim more than about twice a year - largely due to this annoying side effect. Usually the only times I go swimming are on holiday and you can guess that the blocked ears ruin the rest of the holiday. It doesn't tend to get infected but it's highly unpleasant.
 
HOW do you get water out of your ear? I've tried ear drops (otex) and blowing it gently with a hairdryer. No avail.

 

[DaveBSC]

This is what swimmer's ear plugs are for. Flange style noise blocking plugs are probably going to leak, use moldable beeswax plugs that form to the shape of your ear canal and keep all water out. They are reusable and not expensive at all.

 

[DaBomb77766]

Well, you could try gently poking a q-tip up your ear canal to soak it up, but honestly, that's incredibly risky if you don't know what you're doing since you can rupture your eardrums doing that.
 
The best thing to do is to get special earplugs for swimming with.  They're sold practically everywhere, definitely recommend you get some good ones.

 

[50an6xy06r6n]

try jumping up and down for a couple minutes with your head cocked to one side... works for me...

 

[eriktheg]

Quote:

try jumping up and down for a couple minutes with your head cocked to one side... works for me...

Basically I do the same thing except I just face one of my ears down towards the ground (usually laying down on one side) and hit my head real hard and it will unclog after a min.. then I do the same on other side lol.
 
I have used q-tips before and when I start feeling a weird tickle I just don't stick it in any farther because my ear is telling me to not stick it in anymore.... Though make sure your doing this alone and you are fully capable of keeping yourself steady cuz you don't want the q-tip to be shoved into your ear....... or else big problems...

 

[50an6xy06r6n]

On the other hand, it sounds like maybe you have it a lot worse than I do... Maybe you should see some kind of specialist if it's that severe, and then just not go swimming... Actually, that actually sounds sort of dangerous, so you might want to ask your doctor about that... 

 

[Uncle Erik]

I spent years swimming every day, between pools and the ocean. I still irrigate my ears daily in the shower.

First, get your ears professionally cleaned. Wax can hold water in there.

After that, your ears should drain much easier. Also, gently use Q-Tips. They'll absorb the water and remove wax. In a pinch, I'll roll up a square of toilet paper. That'll soak up any excess water in your ear.

Nay-sayers will have their usual spiel about "pushing a plug deeper in" but you cannot do that if there isn't a plug in the first place.

 

[crazy88uk]

I had this a few weeks back and got my ears syringed at the doctors, and all is fine now. I first noticed it when we re-did the bathroom, and I was having daily baths instead of showers. It felt awful, like I was living in a bubble.
 
Syringing was quick and pain free...and also a little disgusting hehe.

 

[serenith]

 
Grab your ear and pull it toward the back of your head to full tension, but not until it hurts. Then move your ear in a up and down motion under tension. If that doesn't help, repeat with your head tilted (the affected ear pointing toward the ground). My ears usualy drain after 4 or 5 "up-and-downs" and it beats giving yourself a comotion jumping around on the wet tiles and punching your head

 

[LugBug1]

Get your ears syringed professionally for now and explain. Then go for plugs when swimming. Wax builds up to protect your ears when they are being bombarded with anything, it must be wax building up because water wouldn't stay in your ears to affect your hearing long after you have swimmed.  If you use IEMs at loud volume you will get more wax than usual.  Going to a gig, playing in a band etc. I used to get loads of the stuff when I used to play guitar in a band... I could have marketed my own candles (urrrr)
 
    

 

[khaos974]

There's probably an earwax buildup in you ear. Use some ear drops (usually available at the closest drug store) to dissolve the wax and a stream of warm water to remove it afterwards. Some people are successful with only a shower head, others use a special syringe to do it. The zero risk option is to go to an ENT specialist who will vacuum the wax out, and probably do a check up afterwards.

 

[Br777]

i have some pretty radical advice, but since no one else seems to be willing im gonna go for it....
 
stop swimming and Go to the Doctor.
 
 
 

 

[shorty920]

I have a condition where water goes into my right ear and does not come out unless surgically drained. I've had 4 surgeries over the years and multiple ear tubes placed in there because I keep getting water in there. When you go swimming, definitely wear some water tight ear insertions. Stick them in there, twist it around and it should be all good. Swimming is one of my primary cardio exercies and so I've repeated gone back to the pool even when it's probably less risky to stay on land.

 

[LugBug1]

Always be careful putting anything in your ears to clean them. Especially if you have a build up of wax, as you will more than likely block them more. I remember my old biology teacher telling us when I was about 12, "the only thing you should put in your ear is your elbow.." sound advice!
 
 
 
 

 

[tattare]

Back in the days when I use to be on swim team in high school the remedy was laying my head on a pillow and letting the water drain out of one ear, then turning over and letting it drain out of the other ear.  It would leave damp patches on your pillow.
The other trick was to take a q-tip and swab it in rubbing alcohol then q-tip your ear.  Alcohol helped dry out the water quicker.