Earwax, also known as cerumen, plays an important role in protecting the ear canal. It helps to trap dust, dirt, and other foreign particles, preventing them from entering the ear. However, excessive earwax can cause a blockage in the ear canal, leading to muffled hearing.
Rapidly push and release your palm, flattening it and cupping it to suck the water out.
If your hearing remains muffled despite trying home remedies, or if it feels permanently "patched" or blocked, it usually indicates that swollen earwax or an early-stage infection is the culprit, rather than just loose water. When to See a Doctor
After a lazy afternoon at the community pool, twelve-year-old Leo trudged home, his towel slung over one shoulder and a familiar, annoying sensation lodged deep in his right ear. Everything sounded like he was underwater—which made a strange kind of sense, since he’d just been in it for two hours. muffled hearing after swimming patched
If you already have a buildup of cerumen (earwax), the water will cause it to absorb moisture and swell like a sponge, completely blocking the canal.
Tilt your head toward your shoulder and gently pull your earlobe to straighten the canal, encouraging the water to flow out.
If your hearing remains muffled for more than 2 to 3 days despite trying safe drying techniques, a doctor needs to examine the ear with an otoscope to check for deep wax impaction or fluid behind the eardrum. How to Prevent Muffled Hearing in the Future Earwax, also known as cerumen, plays an important
If your muffled hearing is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it has likely progressed past a simple water blockage: Redness and swelling of the outer ear or canal Itching inside the ear Mild to severe pain, especially when pulling on the earlobe
A specialist places a small, sterile patch (often made of special paper or collagen) over the tear in the eardrum.
In its early stages, swimmer's ear might just cause itching. However, as the infection progresses, common symptoms include [9†L38-L39][10†L29-L32][11†L40-L46]: Rapidly push and release your palm, flattening it
Muffled hearing, or temporary hearing loss, occurs when the sound waves traveling through your ear canal are blocked before they can reach the eardrum. After swimming, this is usually caused by one of two things: trapped water or earwax swelling. Common Causes of Muffled Hearing
If you have had a tympanoplasty, it is crucial to follow your ENT specialist's advice regarding swimming. If you are permitted to swim but experience muffled hearing, follow these steps: 1. Gentle Drying Techniques
Use custom-molded silicone earplugs specifically designed to create a watertight seal.
Invest in a pair of silicone or foam earplugs specifically designed for swimming. They form a watertight seal that keeps the canal completely dry.
