Follow these simple and easy-to-use tips as you hit the water this summer
By Neil Aiello, Doctor of Audiology, Columbia Basin Hearing Center
Keep these tips in mind for the next few months in order to avoid Swimmer’s Ear, and you’ll be able to enjoy the water all summer long!
- Dry ears thoroughly after swimming.
- Put an eye dropper full of 70% rubbing alcohol into ear canal after swimming; shake it out afterwards.
- Put an eye dropper of plain white vinegar in ear canal after swimming; shake it out afterwards.
- Use a hair dryer on Low to blow warm air into ear canals until water, vinegar, and/or alcohol evaporates.
- Use over-the-counter or custom-molded ear plugs to block water from entering ear canals.
- Use a swimmer’s cap pulled down over the ears to block splashed water in ears.
- Limit underwater swimming, especially in open, untreated water.
- Rinse ear canals with clean water after swimming in lakes and rivers, especially is water is polluted.
- Never swim underwater or allow water in ears with perforations or pressure equalization tubes placed in the typanic membrane.
- Never allow water into surgically modified ear canals, especially those with previous mastoid operations.
