Water trapped in your ear can feel uncomfortable but in most cases, it’s easy to remove with simple at-home techniques.
If water doesn’t drain on its own, it can cause a tickling sensation, pressure or even increase your risk of an ear infection.
“When water doesn’t trickle out on its own, you could risk developing swimmer’s ear, a type of ear infection in the outer ear canal or the opening of the ear to the eardrum,” said Christopher Adams, PA, a physician assistant in otolaryngology with Banner - University Medicine. “You may experience ear pain, loss of balance and coordination, ringing in your ears and sore throat and possibly hearing loss.”
If you’ve got water in your ears, this probably doesn’t sound very fun to you. To prevent water from remaining in your ears and causing you problems, Adams shared the following techniques.
How to get water out of your ear
Most of the time, water will drain out on its own. If it doesn’t, you can try simple techniques to help it come out safely.
Five ways to get water out of your ear
- Let time and gravity do the trick. Lie on your side where the water is trapped and rest your head on a towel to absorb the water. Slowly but surely the water should make its way down and out of your ear.
- Try rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. This can help dry out the ear canal. Use caution, however. Don’t use alcohol drops if you have a perforated eardrum, as this will cause severe pain, and high levels could be toxic to the ear. Read “How to Properly Use Ear Drops” for helpful tips and recommendations.
- Use a hairdryer. Pull down on your ear gently to help straighten the ear canal with one hand and with the other, use the hairdryer on the cool setting to dry out your ear.
- Chew, yawn, shake and tug. When water gets stuck, move your mouth and jaw around to help move your TMJ, or jaw joint, which is connected to your ear canal. Shake your head to provide added assistance. You can also gently tug on the outer portion of your ear to straighten out the ear canal and allow water to drain out.
- Avoid using your finger, cotton swab or other objects. As tempting as it may be, avoid poking around inside your ear. Doing so may push obstructions deeper into your ear canal and puncture your eardrum. It can also scratch away the protective waxy layer inside your ear canal, which can provide an opening for bacteria to grow.
How to prevent water from getting stuck in your ears
Try wearing swim plugs or a swim cap to help prevent water from entering your ears. When you’re done swimming, dry your ears thoroughly with a towel.
When should you see a doctor?
You should seek care if water stays trapped or symptoms worsen.
If you’re unable to drain water with the above techniques and are plagued with ear pain or pressure:
Save your spot for an urgent care visit.
Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider.
Schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Frequently asked questions about water in the ear
How long can water stay in your ear?
It usually drains within minutes to a few hours, but sometimes it can last longer.
Is water in your ear dangerous?
Not usually, but it can lead to infection if it stays trapped.
Can you use a cotton swab to remove water?
No, this can push debris deeper and increase injury risk.
What is the fastest way to get water out of your ear?
Letting gravity help or using safe drying methods like a hairdryer on a cool setting can work.
Related ear, nose and throat articles:
- Why Am I So Dizzy?
- You've Suddenly Lost Your Hearing, Now What?
- How to Relieve Ear Pressure When Your Ears Are Plugged Up
Content in this article was updated on April 17, 2026.
