Water in the ears

[erparamedic]

Hi, everyone....

I'm currently in the process of dropping some pounds and will be diving in the quarries again when the weather warms up (preparing for a trip to WPB in December). I've been swimming laps in a local pool and I can't seem to get the water in my ears to dry up. I've tried dripping alcohol in my ears, but it hasn't helped. In the meantime, my hearing is decreased (especially lt ear) and my ears pop alot. I've also tried tugging on my earlobe and holding a hairdryer on low up to my ears. Still no luck. Any ideas on how to dry up that water or get it out? It's really driving me NUTS!!!

 

[speedhound]

Hi there, I get the same thing after swimming too. Two solutions to try are

1) use earplugs while swimming - but I got out of this habit while going through my OW class,
and 2) use "ear beer" - either the proprietary eardrops sold in most pharamacies, or (after buying, eventually emptying, and keeping a proprietary bottle) make your own with 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% white vinegar.

Lean your head to one side, put a few drops in each ear, wait a 10-30 seconds, and then shake the stuff out. You may smell like a salad dressing for a short while, but it does work. The alcohol encourages water removal, and the vinegar creates an acidic environment in your ear to discourage any infections from growing in there.

 

[renpirate]

This is a new gadget that might help you out. I haven't tried it myself, but it looks like it could be useful.

http://swimming.about.com/od/earsandeyes/gr/dryear.htm

 

[J75]

I usually go the alcohol route, but once I put it in, I "equalize" my ears by holding my nose and blowing, which seems to get the alcohol deep inside the ear and stops the snap, crackling, and popping. Good luck!

 

[Trever]

I usually go the alcohol route, but once I put it in, I "equalize" my ears by holding my nose and blowing, which seems to get the alcohol deep inside the ear and stops the snap, crackling, and popping. Good luck!

OOO I'll have to try that, I have always done the alcohol, but never while trying to "equalize" .I have had "water in my ears" for 6 weeks straight anoying as hell but it does go away.

 

[Quero]

Why don't you go have somebody take a look at your ears? It might be something as simple as a wax buildup that keeps the water from draining easily.

(BTW, you can dissolve wax by putting hydrogen peroxide into the ear canal and waiting until the fizzing noise stops. Gently dry your ears with cotton (but don't stick cotton swabs deep inside!).If the cotton comes out all gunky, you know the peroxide has done the job.)

 

[erparamedic]

Hey thanks for all the advice. I had never heard of an actual "ear dryer". Will definitely have to try the ear beer! I did have one of the PA's at work take a look at my ears, and he said all looks well, no obvious fluid, no infection, no wax buildup, just some scarring on my left eardrum. The scarring is normal though, as I had the eardrum 3/4 grafted 11 years ago, all so I could dive! It is starting to feel better though, so hopefully by tomorrow it will be back to normal.

 

[opalobsidian]

oops! Wrong thread!

 

[adrenalineblues]

Of ear beer... 50% White vinegar and 50% hydrogen peroxide... Works every time....

 

[phan000]

I have the same problem. Usially the wax melts in my ears when I swim and makes it very difficult to get the water out of my ears. But the only cure I have found is through my Finnish Doctor. He has his nurse use some water pik type contraption that shoots the wax out.

Most uncomfortable, but gets the job done right. And I have tried everything else... Wax loosener, ear beer, etc. Even the doctor has the nurse do this procedure for him because he says it is too hard to do it yourself.