Summer is on its way and that means lots of fun in the pool. Unfortunately, all this time spent in the sea and pool can lead to ear infections. Cases of swimmer’s ear typically increase through the summer months because of summer holidays.

You or your child may have experienced an unwanted ear infection as a result of time spent in the pool on holiday in previous years and you’ll know just how painful the experience can be. Around 1 in 10 people will be affected by the problem at one part of their lives.

What is swimmer’s ear?

The condition known as otitis externa is frequently termed as swimmer’s ear because exposure to water is often how it is caused.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the skin in the ear canal. It enters the ear through bacteria found in water. This water then creates a moist environment that aids bacterial growth. If not dealt with, this leads to an infection that causes swelling and inflammation which results in a painful experience.

Any ear infection can initiate hearing loss, and this includes swimmer’s ear. The swelling also results in sound waves being blocked or muffled on their way through the ear canal to the inner ear.

How is swimmer’s ear treated?

The good news is that hearing should return to normal after the infection is cleared up. There are treatments in place to effectively remove the infection but it is possible to prevent the infection happening at all.

Preventing swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s earplugs

Earplugs provide a medically safe solution to infection and other auditory complications caused by water in the ear. Their design provides a consistent barrier against water coming into the ear whilst swimming.

Headbands

Headbands provide extra protection for children (children are more susceptible to infection as they have narrower ear canals). They should be worn on top of plugs or moulds to keep ears dry.

For more information about the swimming protection available to you or your child, or to find out what options there are to treat swimmer’s ear, speak to our hearing specialists today on 0116 254 3909.