That sloshing sound is the absolute worst. You just finished a great swim or hopped out of the shower, and suddenly, the world sounds like you’re underwater. It’s annoying. It’s muffled. Sometimes, it even ticks the box of being slightly painful. You’re tilting your head, hopping on one foot like a maniac, and wondering: how do i get water out my ear before this turns into a full-blown infection?
Most people reach for a Q-tip. Stop. Right now. Seriously, put the cotton swab down. You’re likely just pushing the water deeper or, worse, jamming earwax against your eardrum, creating a waterproof seal that traps the liquid even better than before.
Getting water out of your ear canal isn’t about force; it’s about physics. Your ear canal isn't a straight pipe. It’s a twisty, slightly downward-sloping organic tunnel. When water gets trapped, it’s usually held there by surface tension. To get it out, you have to break that tension or change the pressure.
Gravity and the Vacuum Trick
The simplest way is often the most effective. Tilt your head so the affected ear faces the shoulder. Now, tug on your earlobe. Don’t just pull it down; pull it gently toward the back of your head. This actually straightens the canal. If you’re lucky, the "plug" breaks, and you feel that warm trickle of relief.
Sometimes gravity needs a partner.
Try the suction method. Cup the palm of your hand tightly over your ear to create an airtight seal. Gently push your hand in and out. You aren't trying to pump air into your brain; you're creating a vacuum to pull that water forward. It’s a weird sensation, kinda like a plunger for your head, but it works surprisingly well for trapped droplets.
✨ Don't miss: Fruits that are good to lose weight: What you’re actually missing
The Chemistry of Drying It Out
If the physical stuff fails, you might need to change the liquid's properties.
Dr. Eric Voigt, an otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Health, often notes that if the eardrum is intact, a mix of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol can be a lifesaver. This is a classic "swimmer's ear" home remedy. The alcohol helps the water evaporate faster—since alcohol has a lower boiling point and higher vapor pressure than water—while the vinegar keeps the environment acidic to prevent bacteria from throwing a party in your ear.
Mix them in a 50/50 ratio. Use a clean dropper to put two or three drops in. Wait thirty seconds. Tilt your head and let it drain.
Note of caution: If you have ear tubes, a perforated eardrum, or any history of ear surgery, do not put drops in your ear. Just don’t. You’ll turn a minor annoyance into an emergency room visit.
Why Does Water Get Stuck Anyway?
Not everyone gets water stuck in their ears. If you have a narrow ear canal or a significant buildup of cerumen (earwax), you’re a prime candidate for this frustration. Earwax is naturally hydrophobic—it repels water. But when you have a lot of it, the water gets caught in the nooks and crannies of the wax.
🔗 Read more: Resistance Bands Workout: Why Your Gym Memberships Are Feeling Extra Expensive Lately
Exostoses, often called "Surfer’s Ear," are another culprit. These are bony growths in the ear canal caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind. They narrow the "hallway," making it incredibly easy for water to get in but nearly impossible for it to find its way out.
The Blow Dryer Method
I know it sounds crazy. It’s not.
Grab your hair dryer. Set it to the lowest possible heat setting—cool is even better. Hold it about a foot away from your ear. Move it back and forth. The moving air helps evaporate the trapped moisture without you having to touch your ear at all. Just be patient. It takes a minute or two of steady airflow to make a difference.
What to Avoid at All Costs
People get desperate. I’ve heard of people using bobby pins, corners of towels, or even car keys.
- Cotton Swabs: I'll say it again. They are the enemy. They scrape the delicate skin of the ear canal, creating tiny tears where bacteria (like Pseudomonas) can enter.
- Finger Digging: Your fingernails are surprisingly sharp and remarkably dirty.
- Hydrogen Peroxide (unnecessarily): While it can break up wax, using it constantly just to dry out water can irritate the skin if overused.
When to See a Doctor
Usually, trapped water is a DIY fix. But there's a line. If the water has been there for more than two or three days, you’re entering Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) territory.
💡 You might also like: Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Weight Set: Why These Specific Weights Are Still Topping the Charts
Watch for these signs:
- The ear starts itching intensely.
- The outer ear becomes red or painful to touch.
- You see clear or yellowish fluid draining out (that isn't just the water you're trying to get out).
- Significant hearing loss that doesn't go away when you shake your head.
At this point, you likely have an infection or a massive wax plug that has expanded like a sponge. A doctor will use a microscope and a tiny vacuum (suction) to clear it out safely. It takes about five minutes and feels like a miracle once the pressure vanishes.
Proactive Steps for Next Time
If you’re a regular at the pool, the best way to handle the "how do i get water out my ear" problem is to never let it get in. Custom-molded earplugs are the gold standard, but even the cheap silicone ones from the drugstore work if you get a good seal.
Also, try the "Vasalva Maneuver" very gently. Close your mouth, pinch your nose, and blow softly. This equalizes pressure in the Eustachian tubes. Sometimes the "stuck water" feeling isn't actually water in the outer canal, but a pressure imbalance behind the eardrum caused by congestion or allergies. If you hear a "pop" and your hearing returns, it was a pressure issue, not a puddle.
Immediate Action Plan:
- Tilt and Tug: Pull your earlobe up and back while tilting toward the shoulder.
- The Palm Vacuum: Use your hand to create a gentle suction seal over the ear opening.
- Heat it Up: Lay your head on a warm (not hot) compress or use a hair dryer on the cool setting from 12 inches away.
- Dryer Drops: If your eardrum is healthy, use a 1:1 mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
- Leave it Alone: If these don't work after a few tries, give it a rest. Over-manipulating the ear causes inflammation, which narrows the canal and traps the water even tighter. Wait a few hours and try again, or sleep on your side with the "wet" ear on the pillow. Gravity often does its best work while you're asleep.