We all know how annoying it is to experience a blocked ear from swimming and there seems to be lots of different ideas out there of how to get rid of this!
We checked with some swimming coaches to find out their recommendations and these were the most popular remedies.
Tugging the earlobe
Tug or jiggle the earlobe while tilting the head down toward the shoulder.
Warm compress to the ear
Apply a warm compress to the ear. Make a warm compress by soaking a cloth in warm water, wring it out and hold it against the affected ear while tilting the head downward. You should leave the warm compress in place for about 30 seconds, remove it for a minute or 2 minutes and then repeat four to five times. Lying down on the affected side of the body may also help the water to drain.
Create a vacuum to the ear
Create a vacuum by tilting the head sideways and keeping a palm tightly cupped over the ear might help. By flattening and cupping the hand against the ear will create a vacuum that might pull the water out.
The best remedy is to let the water drain naturally, we know this can be very annoying especially for children however if the above doesn’t work then it will eventually clear by itself. If the problem persists on a regular basis then it might be worth wearing earplugs while swimming.