How Can You Swim With Eardrum Hole?
Patients with a tympanic aperture can enter the sea and the pool with a very tight cap and a tight swimmer stopper, just too superficial or without putting their heads in the water. As the depths of the pool reach the depths of water, the possibility of water escaping to the middle ear increases. As middle ear inflammation recurs, risks such as facial paralysis, brain and neck abscess, and brain membrane inflammation also increase. Therefore, patients who have a hole in the eardrum should consult an otolaryngologist for treatment and return to water sports after their treatment is completed. Practical methods are also available for small holes in the eardrum.
What can you do if water gets into your ear?
If you have an eardrum hole and you feel that water has entered to your ear during swimming in the pool, sea or in the bathroom, it is better to take the following precautions:- turn your head sideways on the towel or paper towel and try to remove the water from the outer ear and middle ear when possible
- turn on the hair dryer at low setting and dry your ear using the water for 1-2 min.
- if there are signs of dizziness, ear pain and hearing loss, contact with an ent doctor if these symptoms gradually increase.
- If you have one ear with you, you can use antibiotic drops after the consultation with your doctor.
- If your ear starts to show signs of infection (ilithabic discharge, hearing loss, ear pain ...) in the other day, contact your ear, nose and throat doctor.
Pool Water Disinfected with Chlorine is More Risky in Terms of Infection!
Infections that can occur in pool water disinfected with chlorine are more risky because;
- Although chlorine kills most microbes, some resistant bacteria, viruses and parasites (such as Cryptosporidium) are resistant to chlorine and can live in pool water. These microorganisms that can live in chlorinated water can cause more resistant and stubborn infections than others.
- The effect of chlorine decreases over time: Chlorine loses its effect by reacting with the pH, temperature and organic substances of the water, thus increasing the risk of infection. Although changing pool water is normally the healthiest option; it is generally not done due to cost.
- Pools have a high microorganism load: The presence of many people in pools increases the density of microbes and increases the possibility of infection. As the number of people entering crowded pools increases, the microorganism load contaminating the pool water also increases.
- Direct contact with pool water: Sensitive areas such as the ear, eye, nose and mouth come into direct contact with chlorinated water; especially if there is a damaged eardrum (e.g. perforation) in the ear, the risk of infection is higher. People with perforated eardrums need to protect their ears from contact with water, pool water may be considered the "worst water".
Even in chlorinated pools, it is necessary to pay attention to hygiene rules and especially to ear health. Regularly changing pool water, using methods such as ionization or oxygenation can reduce the risk of pool-related infection. Remember that as long as your ear is perforated, no liquid should enter your ear, because there is a defect in the eardrum, which acts as a barrier.
Please Do Not Dive Despite a Tight Swim Cap and Earplugs!
Even one meter below the water level, the external pressure is around tons and you cannot prevent water from entering your ear with just a tight swim cap or earplugs. If the eardrum is perforated and water enters the external ear canal under pressure, damage to the middle ear ossicles, serious hearing loss and long-term middle ear infections may be seen. It is ideal to take the advice of the ENT specialist who examines you into the sea or the pool during your holiday. I usually recommend my patients not to put their heads in the sea or the pool despite all protective measures. If you constantly get water in your ear while swimming without paying attention, it can cause serious dizziness and dangerous situations while swimming; It can cause permanent changes in the middle ear structures. It can cause unnecessary major surgical procedures and it can cause permanent type neural type hearing loss in the inner ear over time. In other words, it can increase your permanent reserve hearing loss.
Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul
Private Office:
Address: İncirli Cad. No:41, Kat:4 (Dilek Patisserie Building), Postal code: 34147, Bakırköy - İstanbul
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52
Fax: +90 212 542 74 47
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