Can Swimmers Ear Lead to Hearing Loss?

Summer is here, meaning more time in lakes, oceans, and pools. Soaking up the rays of sunshine and enjoying the warmer weather is par for the course for many people, although there is an unfortunate side effect that can occur with all the swimming during this season. Known as an outer ear infection or swimmer’s ear, children are often seen with this condition, although any age can be affected. Excess moisture within the ear canal can lead to a bacterial infection and currently places over 2 million people in the doctor’s office annually. 

Thankfully, this infection is not passed from one person to another. However, if you’ve got a rambunctious swimmer on your hands (or you participate in pool activities), you might find your family experiencing a swimmer’s ear more often than not. 

Signs and Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

While the symptoms will vary from person to person depending upon the degree of infection, there are some common things to be watching for. Issues such as pain in the ear, discharge, itching or swelling in or around the ear, and any sort of redness can all be signs of an infection. If you notice pain that travels into the neck or pain that also accompanies a fever, seeking medical attention right away is critical. 

Another notable symptom of swimmer’s ear is decreased hearing capabilities, which can significantly disrupt daily life. While one would think that an infection would go away with a decrease in water exposure, often, it doesn’t work out that way. The signs and symptoms listed above are mild and, while uncomfortable, can be taken care of with antibiotics when caught early. Unfortunately, if the ear infection gets worse or treatment gets delayed, there is a risk of hearing loss from swimmer’s ear. 

Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear

When seeing your physician for treatment, the first line of defense is ensuring the ear canal is clean. After that, medications such as antifungals, antibiotics, and steroids are all possible solutions to decreasing the bacteria in the ear and restoring hearing to normal.

When the outer ear infection occurs, the skin around the canal gets inflamed. This inflammation can then decrease the ability to hear. It might sound like someone is speaking to you with their hand up to their face, like a muffled sound. 

Bottom Line

While it’s true that a swimmer’s ear can cause temporary hearing loss, if it’s treated appropriately, then hearing should return to normal. It’s certainly something to be aware of if you or a family member plan to be on the water often this summer! 

Whether or not you are swimming in a pool, lake, river, or hot tub, ensuring that your ears are dried off completely when you are done is critical in reducing the chances of swimmer’s ear occurring. Remember, the dampness in the ear canal can be a host of all sorts of bacterial infections, so drying off with a clean towel or cloth can significantly diminish your chances of a swimmer’s ear. 

If you have any questions or concerns about swimmer’s ear or any hearing loss, give us a call at Hearing  Associates of Las Vegas to see how we can help.