Summer is a time for swimming, holidays and spending more time outdoors. However, changes in moisture and temperature can sometimes make ear symptoms more noticeable. For some people, swimming and hot weather may contribute to a build-up of earwax or make an existing blockage feel worse.
Blocked ears can be uncomfortable and distracting. You may notice muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness, itching, ringing or mild discomfort. At Barnes Pharmacy, our ear wax removal service can help assess the cause of your symptoms and, where appropriate, remove excess earwax safely.
Why swimming can make earwax feel worse
Earwax is a normal substance made in the ear canal. It helps protect the delicate skin inside the ear by trapping dust and supporting the ear’s natural cleaning process. Usually, earwax gradually moves towards the opening of the ear and falls away naturally.
When water enters the ear, it can soften existing wax. The wax may absorb some of the moisture and swell, temporarily narrowing the ear canal. This can make hearing seem muffled or create a sensation that the ear is blocked, particularly if there was already a significant build-up.
Water can also become trapped behind or around a plug of wax. This may leave the ear feeling full after swimming or showering. People who swim regularly, use earplugs or wear hearing aids may be more aware of these symptoms, although anyone can experience them.
Swimming does not necessarily cause excess earwax, but it can reveal a blockage that was already developing. Repeated exposure to water may also irritate the skin of the ear canal, especially if moisture remains in the ear for long periods.
How summer heat and humidity may play a part
Warm weather can increase sweating around the head and ears. In hot or humid conditions, the skin of the ear canal may remain damp for longer. This can soften earwax and cause an existing plug to shift or swell, making symptoms more noticeable.
Heat itself does not usually create a wax blockage. However, summer habits can contribute to the problem. More frequent swimming and showering, wearing in-ear headphones, using earplugs and trying to dry the ears with cotton buds may all affect the ear canal.
Cotton buds can push wax further inside rather than removing it. They may also scratch the skin, increasing irritation and the risk of infection. Hairpins, fingernails and other objects can cause similar damage. The ear is generally self-cleaning, so inserting objects into the canal is not recommended.
Earwax blockage or swimmer’s ear?
A blocked ear after swimming is not always caused by earwax. Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal. It can develop when moisture and irritation affect the skin inside the ear.
Swimmer’s ear may cause increasing ear pain, tenderness when touching or moving the outer ear, itching, redness, discharge or a feeling of blockage. Earwax blockage is more commonly associated with muffled hearing, fullness or reduced hearing without marked pain, although symptoms can vary.
It is important not to assume that every blocked ear needs wax removal. A healthcare professional should assess the symptoms, particularly if there is pain, discharge, fever, significant swelling or sudden hearing loss. Ear wax removal is not a treatment for an ear infection, and an infection may need different care.
What you can do to help prevent blocked ears
- Allow your ears to dry naturally after swimming or bathing. You can gently dry the outer ear with a towel, but do not push anything into the canal.
- Avoid cotton buds and other objects inside the ear. They can compact wax and damage the skin.
- If you use hearing aids, follow the manufacturer’s advice about removing them and keeping them dry. Ask for professional advice if you regularly experience wax build-up.
- Take care with in-ear headphones and earplugs, especially if your ears feel irritated or damp.
- Do not use ear candles. They are not a safe or reliable way to remove earwax and can cause burns or injury.
- If you are prone to wax build-up, ask a pharmacist or another healthcare professional whether a suitable ear-softening product is appropriate for you.
Ear-softening drops may help some people, but they are not suitable in every situation. Do not use drops if you may have a perforated eardrum, unless a healthcare professional has advised you to do so. People with ear tubes or grommets, previous ear surgery, significant ear pain or discharge should seek advice before using products in the ear.
When to seek professional advice
Consider arranging an assessment if your ear remains blocked after swimming, your hearing is affected, or symptoms are recurring. Professional assessment can help distinguish a wax blockage from infection, inflammation, trapped water or another cause of hearing changes.
You should seek prompt medical advice for sudden hearing loss, severe or worsening pain, discharge or bleeding, dizziness, swelling around the ear, fever, or symptoms following an injury. If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, it is particularly important to seek advice about painful or inflamed ears rather than attempting self-treatment.
Ear wax removal at Barnes Pharmacy
Our ear wax removal service is available for people who are experiencing symptoms that may be caused by excess or impacted earwax. We can assess your ears and discuss the most appropriate approach based on your symptoms and medical history. The aim is to provide safe, professional care rather than encouraging you to try to remove wax yourself.
If your ears often feel blocked during the warmer months, booking an assessment before a holiday or swimming trip may help you plan ahead. If the assessment suggests that your symptoms are not caused by wax, we can advise you about seeking suitable medical care.
Book your ear wax removal appointment
Do not let muffled hearing or uncomfortable blocked ears interrupt your summer. To find out more or arrange an appointment, book our ear wax removal service at Barnes Pharmacy.