Having the sensation of water sloshing around in your ear can be annoying and even alarming. However, there are several harmless causes for this common experience. Understanding the reasons behind the feeling can provide reassurance and help determine if any treatment is needed.
What Causes the Feeling of Water in the Ear?
There are a few possible explanations for the feeling of water in the ear without any water actually being present:
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
The most common reason is a blocked or malformed Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat and help regulate air pressure. When the tubes aren’t working properly, a relative vacuum can occur in the middle ear which pulls on the eardrum, making it feel like fluid is present.
Causes of Eustachian tube dysfunction include:
- Allergies
- Common cold
- Sinus infection
- Nasal polyps
- Enlarged adenoids
- Exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke
Secretory Otitis Media
Sometimes a buildup of fluid does actually occur in the middle ear, even though it can’t be seen. This condition is called secretory otitis media or otitis media with effusion. It happens when the Eustachian tube becomes plugged and fluid accumulates in the area, giving the sensation of “water in the ear.” Secretory otitis media often develops after an ear infection.
Vestibular Neuronitis
The balance mechanisms in the inner ear rely on the vestibular nerves to send signals to the brain. When these nerves are inflamed, such as with vestibular neuronitis, it can make you feel off-balance. The distorted sensations of movement are sometimes perceived as water swirling in the ear.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to episodes of vertigo along with roaring, ringing, or popping noises that may resemble water in the ear. It is thought to arise due to abnormal fluid levels in the ear’s balance chambers.
Earwax Buildup
While the main purpose of earwax is to trap dirt and debris, when too much cerumen builds up it can cause symptoms like ear fullness, echoes, and mild dizziness that may seem like water trapped in the ear canal. Using cotton swabs to clean the ears tends to push the wax deeper into the canal and worsen impaction.
Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal typically caused by water that remains in the ears after swimming. The inflammation can make it feel like the ear still has water in it. It usually affects both ears.
Ear Barotrauma
Barotrauma refers to injuries caused by pressure differences. With ear barotrauma, rapid changes in air or water pressure can create a sucking sensation in the ear due to a temporary vacuum. This is common with air travel, scuba diving, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The vacuum feeling may mimic trapped fluid in the ear.
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is an abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear that immobilizes tiny bones involved in hearing. This can make sound become distorted and seem watery. It often runs in families.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, the feeling of water in the ear resolves on its own. However, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor if:
- Symptoms last more than a few days
- Hearing loss or ear pain occurs
- Dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems develop
- Ear discharge, bleeding, or severe irritation is present
- High fever accompanies the symptoms
- Headaches or vision changes occur
- Symptoms worsen or persist after trying home remedies
Chronic or recurring cases of a water sensation in the ear should also receive medical care to identify the underlying cause.
How is Water in the Ear Diagnosed?
To diagnose the reason behind ear fullness or water-like sounds, the doctor will begin with a review of symptoms and medical history. They will perform an exam of the ears, nose, and throat and may use some of these diagnostic tests:
Otoscopy
An otoscope is a handheld instrument with a light and magnifying lens that allows visualization of the ear canal and eardrum. It can identify blockages, fluid behind the eardrum, foreign objects, and earwax buildup.
Hearing Tests
Audiometry evaluates hearing ability at different sound frequencies. This can detect conductive hearing loss that may accompany fluid in the middle ear or problems with the ossicles. Speech reception threshold tests assess the softest level a person can hear spoken words.
Tympanometry
Tympanometry uses a small probe placed in the ear canal to assess the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum by altering air pressure. It can help identify Eustachian tube blockages.
ENG/VNG
Electronystagmography (ENG) and videonystagmography (VNG) record eye movements in response to visual stimuli or temperature changes in the ear canal. This evaluates balance function to diagnose conditions like vestibular neuronitis or Meniere’s disease.
Hearing Tests
If infection is suspected, the doctor may swab the ear discharge to identify the bacteria or fungus involved so the most effective medication can be prescribed.
Imaging Tests
Imaging like CT scans or MRIs visualizes the ear structures and are used to rule out problems like cholesteatoma growths in the middle ear.
How to Get Rid of Trapped Water Feeling in Ear
Treatments for the feeling of water in the ear depend on the underlying cause but may include:
Nasal Sprays and Antihistamines
Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in the Eustachian tubes often perpetuated by allergies. Oral antihistamines relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergic rhinitis that can contribute to tube blockages.
Decongestants
Oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine shrink swollen nasal passages and mucus to improve drainage and airflow through the Eustachian tubes.
Mucolytics
Mucolytics thin mucus secretions making them easier to clear from congested Eustachian tubes and the middle ear.
Oral and Ear Antibiotics
Antibiotics treat infectious causes leading to tube blockage and fluid accumulation like sinusitis, colds, otitis media, and swimmers ear. Topical antibiotic ear drops are used for outer ear canal infections.
Earwax Removal
Earwax blockages can be dissolved with prescription ear drops. For more severe impactions, a doctor may irrigate the ear canal or gently vacuum out the wax buildup.
Eustachian Tube Surgery
In severe recurring cases resistant to other treatments, a myringotomy can be performed where a small tube is inserted through the eardrum into the middle ear providing ventilation. For enlarged adenoids obstructing the tubes, adenoidectomy surgery may be done.
Meniere’s Treatments
Meniere’s disease is managed with diet changes to control fluid retention, diuretics, and medications to reduce vertigo and nausea. Injecting steroids into the middle ear or surgically destroying the balance organ may be options for resistant cases.
Home Remedies
Some home remedies that may provide relief include:
- Yawning and chewing – Activates muscles that open the Eustachian tubes
- Valsalva maneuver – Holding the nose and gently blowing to push air into the tubes
- Salt water rinses – Soothe nasal inflammation to improve Eustachian tube drainage
- Staying hydrated – Thins mucus obstructing the tubes
- Osteopathic manipulation – Uses massage techniques to improve tube function
- Garlic, ginger, and other herbs – Possess anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce congestion
- Manual ear drainage – Tilt the head to let trapped fluid drain out
Preventing the Feeling of Fluid in the Ear
You can reduce the chances of experiencing a water sensation in the ears by:
- Treating allergies to prevent Eustachian tube swelling
- Getting vaccinated for flu and pneumonia to avoid infections that cause congestion
- Using over-the-counter nasal strips at night to keep nasal passages open
- Avoiding secondhand smoke which irritates sinuses and tubes
- Staying hydrated and using a cool mist humidifier to thin mucus
- Seeing a dentist about orthodontic appliances that may impede Eustachian tube flow
- Promptly treating sinus and ear infections with antibiotics
- Having earwax removed when buildup is excessive
- Avoiding cotton swabs and objects in the ear canal which can trauma or block the ear
- Equalizing pressure when flying or scuba diving by yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, or performing the Valsalva maneuver
- Rinsing ears after swimming to prevent swimmer’s ear infections
When to See an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist
For chronic, recurring, or unexplained feelings of water trapped in the ear, seeing an otolaryngologist or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist is advisable. They have specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating ear conditions like:
- Chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Meniere’s disease
- Otosclerosis
- Cholesteatomas
- Vestibular disorders
- Benign ear tumors
ENT doctors can perform specialized diagnostic tests and provide advanced treatments including minor surgery that may not be available from a general practitioner.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Though not common, a ruptured eardrum or middle ear infection can sometimes cause water or fluid leakage from the ear. Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Fluid draining from the ear, especially if bloody, yellow, or pus-filled
- Sudden hearing loss or severe deafness in one or both ears
- Extreme dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance
- Facial muscle weakness or drooping
- Severe headaches or visual changes
- Fever over 102°F (38.9°C)
These can be signs of a ruptured eardrum, middle or inner ear infection, or other neurological emergency requiring prompt medical treatment.
Conclusion
While having the sensation of water sloshing around in your ear can be unpleasant, in most cases it is not serious. Possible causes are blockage or dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes, secretory otitis media, swimmer’s ear, or excessive earwax.
See a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen, hearing loss occurs, or other concerning symptoms develop. Chronic or recurring causes should be evaluated by an ENT specialist. Proper diagnosis and treatment can provide relief in nearly all cases of this common complaint.