How to Safely Remove Water from Your Ear

Tilt your head with the blocked ear facing down and gently tug your earlobe to straighten the canal, then let gravity do the work. You can also try moving your jaw by chewing or yawning, or lie on your side with the affected ear down for a few minutes. Most trapped water clears within a few hours or by the end of the day.

• A soft towel or cloth
• A hair dryer (optional)
• Over-the-counter ear-drying drops, or a mix of one part white vinegar and one part rubbing alcohol (optional)
• A warm, damp cloth (optional)
• Earplugs or a swim cap for prevention

1. Dry your outer ear with a soft towel or cloth. Do not push the cloth into the canal.
2. Tilt your head to the side with the blocked ear facing the ground.
3. Gently tug down on your earlobe to straighten the ear canal and help the water flow out. You can also pull your ear in different directions.
4. While your head is tilted, try hopping on one foot on the side with the ear facing down, or shake your head gently, to help move the water out.
5. Move your jaw by chewing, yawning or wiggling your earlobe to shake the water loose. This works best if the water is deeper.
6. Lie on your side with the affected ear down for a few minutes and let gravity drain it. A towel under your head can help.
7. Cup your hand tightly over your ear to make a gentle seal, then press and release a few times to create light suction. Do this softly, with no slapping or hard pushing, then tilt the ear down.
8. Pinch your nose, close your mouth and blow gently to open the eustachian tubes. Just a light breath is enough; do not blow hard.
9. Hold a warm, damp cloth against the ear for about 30 seconds.
10. If water remains, use a hair dryer on the lowest heat and speed setting, held about a foot away, moving it back and forth to evaporate the moisture. Keep your ear pointed down as you do this.
11. Try over-the-counter drying drops, or a 1:1 mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, but only if your eardrum is intact. Follow the label directions.

• Water gets trapped because of the natural curve of the ear canal, surface tension, narrow canals or earwax buildup. Children have smaller canals and are more prone to it.
• If water stays in the ear too long, it can lead to swimmer's ear (otitis externa), a bacterial infection. Symptoms include pain when the outer ear is tugged or when pressure is put on the tragus, itchiness inside the ear, drainage, and redness and swelling.
• Do not use cotton swabs, fingers, pencils, paperclips or keys in the ear canal. They can push water and wax deeper, scratch the skin or puncture the eardrum.
• Do not try to remove earwax yourself. Earwax helps protect the canal from infection.
• Do not use ear-drying drops if you have ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes), a punctured eardrum, swimmer's ear or ear drainage. Check with your healthcare provider first.
• Do not use hydrogen peroxide or drying drops if you have ear tubes or a ruptured eardrum.
• Never use high heat or hot air from a dryer, as it could burn your ear or damage sensitive skin.
• To prevent water getting stuck, wear a bathing cap, earplugs or custom-fitted swim molds when swimming, dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering, and tilt your head back and forth so each ear faces down to drain.
• Remove earbuds if you are sweaty, and wait until water is gone before putting earplugs or hearing aids back in.
• If you have wax buildup, have your doctor remove it rather than trying yourself.

How long does water usually stay in your ear? Usually it goes away within a few hours or by the end of the day. If it stays stuck for more than a day, or you notice hearing loss, pain or itching, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

Can I use ear drops if I have a perforated eardrum? No. You should never use ear drops if you have a perforated or ruptured eardrum, or if you have ear tubes.

Can shaking or jumping help get water out of the ear? A better way is to tilt your head to one side and gently pull on your earlobe. This straightens your ear canal and helps water drain out. Hopping on one foot or shaking gently while tilted may also help.

Can I swim again if my ear still feels full? If you have an ear infection, it is best to wait until the infection clears up before swimming again.

When should I see a doctor? Check with your healthcare provider if you have ear pain or drainage from the ear. Also make an appointment if water stays stuck for more than a day, or if you have hearing loss, pain, itching, redness, swelling, yellow or green fluid, a fever or you feel unwell. Swimmer's ear can be treated with antibiotic ear drops.