When to worry about hearing loss with swimmer's ear

A blocked or muffled feeling can happen when the outer ear canal is swollen or contains discharge. It should not be assumed to explain every hearing change, especially if pain and ear symptoms do not fit the usual pattern.

Swimmer's ear is inflammation or infection of the skin-lined outer ear canal. Swelling, moisture, skin debris, and discharge can narrow that canal, so sound has more difficulty reaching the eardrum. The result may be muffled hearing on the affected side.

Tenderness when you pull the outer ear or press the small flap at the canal entrance can occur with swimmer's ear. Hearing loss without these outer-ear symptoms may have another cause and deserves assessment rather than self-treatment.

Keep the ear dry while symptoms settle. Avoid swimming, and protect the ear from water during bathing without pushing anything into the canal. Do not use cotton buds, fingers, ear candles, or other objects to remove wax or discharge; they can injure the skin and pack material deeper.

Arrange a clinical review if the ear remains blocked, painful, or discharging. A clinician can look into the canal, check the eardrum, and decide whether cleaning or prescription ear treatment is appropriate.

Seek urgent medical care for a sudden major drop in hearing, marked dizziness, weakness of the face, severe headache, swelling or redness spreading around the ear, or feeling very unwell. These features need examination because they may not be explained by a straightforward outer-ear problem.

Get prompt advice when hearing continues to worsen, symptoms are not improving with treatment, or there is new ringing, significant discharge, or fever. People with diabetes or a weakened immune system should seek medical advice early for ear pain or discharge.

Ask whether the hearing change appears to come from canal swelling, trapped debris, the eardrum, or another part of the ear. You can also ask how to use prescribed drops correctly, whether the ear needs to be kept dry, and which changes mean you should return sooner.