No, not if the eardrum is healthy and intact. The tympanic membrane is a sealed, waterproof barrier. Its primary purpose is to protect the delicate structures of the middle ear and the inner ear from the outside environment. The only way water can pass beyond this point is if a physical opening, or perforation, is present in the membrane.
The Eardrum’s Role as a Barrier
The eardrum is a thin, cone-shaped structure positioned between the outer ear canal and the middle ear cavity. This membrane is composed of three layers of tissue, giving it both the flexibility to vibrate and the strength to maintain a seal. Its function is two-fold, serving both an auditory and a protective purpose.
When sound waves enter the ear canal, they strike the tympanic membrane, causing it to vibrate and transmit these movements to the tiny bones of the middle ear. Simultaneously, the membrane acts as a seal, preventing external contaminants like dirt, debris, and water from reaching the air-filled space behind it.
Causes of Eardrum Perforation
Acute otitis media, a severe middle ear infection, is a common cause of perforation. Fluid and pus accumulation increases pressure until the membrane ruptures, which often provides immediate pain relief as the pressure is released.
Physical trauma is another frequent cause, which can result from poking the ear canal with foreign objects like cotton swabs or from a sudden, forceful slap to the side of the head. Barotrauma, or severe pressure changes, can also tear the membrane. This often occurs during scuba diving or flying when pressure is not properly equalized between the middle ear and the outside environment. In some cases, a small, intentional opening is created by surgeons for the placement of tympanostomy tubes, which provide ventilation to the middle ear.
What Happens If Water Enters the Middle Ear
When water passes through a perforated eardrum, it introduces bacteria and contaminants directly into the middle ear space. This immediate exposure can rapidly lead to a new or worsening infection, often presenting as acute otitis media. The resulting infection can cause a noticeable discharge from the ear, which may appear as mucus, pus, or be tinged with blood, a condition called otorrhea.
Symptoms commonly include a return of ear pain, a feeling of fullness, and temporary hearing loss due to the presence of fluid in the middle ear cavity. In more severe cases, the sudden temperature change or irritation of the middle ear structures may trigger feelings of dizziness or vertigo. Medical advice should be sought immediately if a known perforation is exposed to water to prevent chronic infection and potential long-term complications.
Water in the Ear Canal
The feeling of “water in the ear” is usually fluid trapped in the outer ear canal, a common and less serious condition than water entering the middle ear. The trapped water, coupled with the warm environment of the ear canal, can create ideal conditions for bacterial growth, leading to an infection known as otitis externa, or Swimmer’s Ear.
This condition causes symptoms such as itching, redness, and pain when the outer ear is tugged. To help drain water that is stuck in the outer canal, you can tilt your head to the side and gently pull your earlobe in various directions. Applying a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting, held several inches away, can also help evaporate the trapped moisture.