A blocked ear after swimming usually happens when water is trapped in your ear canal or when that water causes earwax to swell. This often leaves your ear feeling full and your hearing muffled. Most cases clear on their own, but ear blockage treatment is worth seeking if the feeling lasts more than a day or two.
What Causes a Blocked Ear After Swimming?
A blocked ear after swimming is usually caused by water trapped in the ear canal or earwax that has absorbed water and swollen.
- Water trapped in the ear canal’s natural bends
- Earwax swelling after contact with water, which can cause a blocked feeling
- Narrow or hairy ear canals, which trap moisture more easily
Signs of an Ear Infection After Swimming
If your ear is painful, itchy or producing discharge after swimming, you may have an ear infection, also known as swimmer’s ear or otitis externa.
You may notice:
- Pain when touching or gently pulling the outer ear
- Discharge, redness or swelling inside the canal
- A blocked feeling or muffled hearing that does not settle
How Can You Treat a Blocked Ear After Swimming at Home?
If water is trapped in your ear, it will often clear within a day with simple self-care. Avoid putting cotton buds, fingers or anything else inside the ear canal, as this can cause damage or push earwax further in.
You can try:
- Tilt your head and gently pull your earlobe to straighten the canal
- Lie on your side for a few minutes and let gravity help
- Use a hairdryer on its lowest setting, held at a distance
- Try olive oil drops if the blockage is caused by wax rather than water
How Does Ear Microsuction Help With Stubborn Blockages?
Ear microsuction uses a microscope and gentle suction to remove built-up earwax. Unlike traditional syringing, it doesn’t involve putting water or pressure into the ear.
This is why NICE’s clinical guidance on earwax management recommends microsuction as one of the options for removing earwax, particularly for people who may be prone to ear infections.
Where Can You Get Earwax Removal?
If earwax is causing the blocked or muffled feeling, professional ear microsuction can remove the build-up and help restore clearer hearing. At Aroga Pharmacy, a trained pharmacist will examine your ears first to establish whether wax, trapped water or another problem is causing the blockage. They can then advise whether microsuction is suitable and explain what happens next.
Get Your Ears Checked and Clear Again
If your ears still feel blocked several days after swimming, you don’t have to put up with it. If you’re looking for earwax removal in Gerrards Cross, Aroga Pharmacy offers professional ear microsuction from its pharmacy in Farnham Common, serving Gerrards Cross and surrounding areas.
Treatment is £60 for both ears, so you can have both ears checked and treated during the same appointment. Book your ear microsuction appointment today and get back to clearer, more comfortable hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my ear feel blocked after swimming?
It’s usually caused by water trapped in the ear canal or by earwax that has absorbed water and swollen, both of which create a full, muffled feeling.
How long does water trapped in the ear usually last?
Trapped water often clears within a few hours to a day with simple self-care, such as tilting your head and gently drying the outer ear.
How do I know if it’s wax and not just water?
If the blocked feeling lasts more than a day or two despite self-care, swollen earwax rather than water is the more likely cause.
What are the signs of an ear infection after swimming?
Pain, itching, discharge, redness or swelling in the ear canal, especially if the outer ear hurts when touched, can point to swimmer’s ear (otitis externa).
Is ear microsuction safe for removing trapped wax?
Yes, ear microsuction is considered one of the safest ear blockage treatments, as it doesn’t use water and lets the practitioner see the ear canal clearly throughout.
How do I book earwax removal in Gerrards Cross?
You can book an ear microsuction appointment with Aroga Pharmacy, based in Farnham Common, serving residents from Gerrards Cross and nearby areas, through our website.