How do you get rid of a "water feeling" in your ear?

Question

My husband always feels like he has water in his ear...such as after you go swimming and get water-clogged ears. He's tried medicine for swimmer's ear, rubbing alcohol, alergy medicine prescribed by the doctor, and just can't seem to find something that will get rid of this feeling. Anyone have any ideas as to how to get rid of a "water feeling" in your ear? Or, maybe what it is that might be causing this? He's been to the doctor and all the Doc can come up with is that it's alergies, but the alergy medicines don't work (he's tried 3). Thanks in advance for any ideas.

The doctor told him there may be water in his "middle ear" on the other side of his ear drum.

He is DIZZY all the time. He drinks Ginger Ale of takes Dramamine and it temporarily relieves it so he can go to work or sleep, but it always comes back. He has the same symptoms of vertigo.

Answer 1

Hello - I'm an Audiologist.

The only way to find out for sure if there is an actual build-up of fluid behind his eardrum is to consult an ear specialist (otologist) and have a complete audiological evaluation, which includes a test of the eardrum's ability to respond to sound vibrations.

There are some conditions besides middle ear fluid that cause a person's ear to feel full, so it is best to ensure an accurate diagnosis rather than asking the general public for advice.

The ear is tiny and delicate, so I would not recommend ever putting anything in there without the specific advice of a qualified physician.

Since you do not mention other symptoms, such as pain, fever, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or spinning dizziness (vertigo), his problem is most likely Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. This means that the tube connecting the middle ear space to the back of the throat is not opening and closing properly (such as when yawning or chewing) and negative pressure is the result (like being on a plane).

If the pressure remains for some time, fluid or mucus from a cold or allergies can be drawn into the middle ear space, where it might or might not brew and infection. Antihistamines for allergies might not be enough. Sometimes decongestants are also used. The nasal spray treatments are often prescribed by the Dr.s with whom I work.

To try to ease the pressure, he can perform the ValSalva maneuver, which is when you close your mouth and nose and blow VERY GENTLY to force the air pressure up the Eustachian tube into the middle ear space. Some people also find additional relief by applying heat (like a hot water bottle) to the external ear.

If there is actually fluid behind the eardrum, it can take as long as 6-8 weeks to resolve. You don't indicate how long your husband has had this symptom.

Answer 2

Feels Like Water In Ear

Answer 3

Something to try. I know that you said you have used alcohol. Try a mixture of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. It feels funny and it is possible the bubbly peroxide feeling will take away the other "watery" feeling. I used a little medicine cap and put 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. We use this every time we come back from swimming or if water gets in the ear after a shower. I have also used it to help my ears when they hurt. The doctor agreed that if there was any water actually in there that the peroxide would break it up and the alcohol would dry it out. Otherwise it certainly doesn't hurt to use it. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

This is called "Swimmer's Ear". Shake your head to remove water from the ear canal. Gently dry your ears with the corner of a tissue. If this doesn't work, try a few drops of rubbing alcohol with the same amount of white vinegar in the ear. Wiggle your ear and let the liquid enter the ear canal then let it drain out. It should dry it out. There are some over the counter products for this at your local pharmacy. Just ask the pharmacist.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you get rid of a "water feeling" in your ear?
My husband always feels like he has water in his ear...such as after you go swimming and get water-clogged ears. He's tried medicine for swimmer's ear, rubbing alcohol, alergy medicine prescribed by the doctor, and just can't seem to find something that will get rid of this feeling. ...

Answer 6

Using a decongestant should work to drain the middle ear.

Answer 7

well just get a second opinoin if you think its serious, my brother had this feeling after swimming so i guess time took care of it if it does have waer in it try sleeping on it, also it took me 5 allergy meds to get my allergies under control and it still was horrible im doing alot better now though! hope he gets to feeling better!

Answer 8

it sounds really stupid put it works.tip your head to the side and hop on one foot in a circle. it works. if it does not work put vinegar in your eears and it gets rid of the water. that will for for sure. i hope this helps you.

Answer 9

probably has an internal bleeding infection. This happened to my cousin and she had to be sent to the ER for feeling really dizzy all over and got these cap sized rashes all over her neck. see a doctor immidiatley

Answer 10

TRY JUMPING UP AND DOWN ON ONE LEG WHILE HOLDING YOUR HEAD TO THE SIDE. THEN JUMPING UP AND DOWN ON THE OTHER LEG ETC ETC. IF THAT DOESNT DO IT THEN TAKE A COUPLE SOFT TISSUES AND WIND THEM UP TO A DULL POINT AND TWIST THEM GENTLY INTO THE EAR GOING ROUND AND ROUND.OR JUMP UP AND DOWN WHILE THE WOUND UP TISSUE IS IN THE EAR. A HEATLAMP ( NOT SUPER HOT NEAR THE EAR MIGHT HELP DRY THE LIQUID. JOGGING MIGHT GET RID OF IT. WHENEVER YOU SWIM WEAR EAR PLUGS.