Why Can Diving or Swimming Trigger Ear Pressure That Doesn’t Clear?

After swimming or diving, you may notice a clogged, full, or pressurized sensation in your ears. Sometimes this is caused by water remaining in the outer ear canal and resolves on its own. However, persistent ear pressure, pain, or hearing changes after diving should not automatically be considered normal, as they may indicate a pressure-related ear injury.

Sometimes, the sensation of pressure in the ear is simply due to water remaining in the ear canal after swimming. Other times, the problem may involve changes in pressure within the middle ear.

Normally, the eustachian tubes help regulate pressure in the middle ear as the surrounding pressure changes. However, when these tubes do not open effectively or cannot compensate for pressure changes, they may have difficulty equalizing. This can result in pressure, fullness, pain, or discomfort that persists even after leaving the water.

At Jupiter Sinus and Allergy, we help patients understand what may be causing ear pressure during or after diving and swimming, when symptoms may be temporary, and when medical evaluation may be appropriate.

How Does Diving or Swimming Cause Pressure in the Ears?

As you descend underwater during a dive, the surrounding water pressure increases. Your middle ear must adjust to this changing pressure.

The eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and upper throat, help regulate pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

Normally, the eustachian tubes remain closed most of the time but briefly open during activities such as yawning, chewing, swallowing, and certain gentle pressure-equalization techniques.

When the eustachian tubes open, air can move between the middle ear and the back of the nose, helping equalize pressure across the eardrum.

However, these tubes may sometimes fail to open adequately, preventing effective pressure equalization. This can cause a sensation of fullness, pressure, or pain.

Pressure-related ear problems are particularly relevant during underwater descents, when the surrounding pressure increases. Surface swimming without significant depth changes does not generally produce the same pressure demands.

Why Can Diving or Swimming Cause Ear Pressure That Doesn’t Clear?

In many cases, ear fullness resolves shortly after leaving the water. However, persistent pressure or blockage may have several possible causes.

1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs when one or both eustachian tubes do not function properly.

If these tubes cannot equalize middle-ear pressure effectively, symptoms may include:

• Muffled hearing
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Popping or clicking sounds
• Ear pain or discomfort
• A sensation that the ear needs to pop
• Symptoms that become more noticeable during pressure changes

Symptoms may worsen during diving, airplane travel, or significant elevation changes because these activities place additional demands on the ear’s pressure-equalization system.

ETD is one possible explanation for persistent ear pressure, but other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

2. Middle-Ear Barotrauma

Middle-ear barotrauma, also called a pressure-related ear injury, occurs when a significant pressure difference develops across the eardrum.

During descent, increasing external pressure pushes the eardrum inward. The middle ear needs additional air through the eustachian tube to equalize pressure.

If descent continues without successful equalization, the pressure difference may increase and potentially injure the middle ear.

Possible symptoms include:

• Ear pain
• Muffled hearing or temporary hearing changes
• Ear pressure or fullness
• Fluid accumulation within the middle ear
• Ringing in the ear
• Bleeding behind the eardrum or eardrum perforation in more severe cases

If you cannot equalize your ears during a dive, stop descending. Ascend slightly if it is safe to do so, and attempt gentle equalization.

If you still cannot equalize or experience pain, end the dive safely rather than forcing equalization or continuing deeper.

Although the symptoms above may occur with middle-ear barotrauma, sudden hearing loss, new tinnitus, or significant vertigo after diving may also indicate an inner-ear injury.

These symptoms require urgent medical assessment and should not be managed by repeatedly attempting to pop the ears.

Avoid further diving until you have been evaluated and medically cleared.

3. Trapped Water in the Ear Canal

When you dive or swim, water can remain trapped within the ear canal after leaving the water.

This may cause an uncomfortable sensation of fullness or blockage. Some people may also experience temporarily muffled hearing.

Water trapped in the ear canal affects the area outside the eardrum.

In contrast, ETD and middle-ear barotrauma involve pressure or injury within the middle ear behind the eardrum.

Although the sensations may feel similar, the underlying causes are different.

4. Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear, medically known as otitis externa, is inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal.

It may develop when moisture remains in the ear canal, creating conditions that allow bacteria or other microorganisms to grow.

Possible symptoms include:

• Itching inside the ear
• Ear pain
• Redness
• Drainage
• A feeling of fullness or pressure
• Muffled hearing
• Tenderness when touching or moving the outer ear

Swimmer’s ear affects the external ear canal rather than the middle-ear pressure-regulating system involved in ETD and middle-ear barotrauma.

An examination can help determine whether an infection or another condition is responsible for persistent symptoms.

5. Earwax Buildup

Earwax may also contribute to a plugged or clogged sensation after swimming or diving.

The ears naturally produce earwax, which helps protect the ear canal.

However, accumulated earwax can trap water, and moisture may make an existing blockage more noticeable.

Possible symptoms include:

• A blocked or clogged sensation
• Muffled hearing
• Ear fullness
• Difficulty clearing water from the ear canal

Earwax buildup does not necessarily indicate a middle-ear pressure problem.

If symptoms persist, a healthcare provider can examine the ear canal and determine whether earwax or another condition may be contributing.

Is It Safe to Force the Ears to Pop After Getting Out of the Water?

Trying to forcefully pop or equalize an ear that refuses to clear may cause additional harm.

Gentle pressure-equalization techniques can sometimes help when used appropriately. However, forceful or repeated attempts may injure structures within the middle or inner ear.

If you experience persistent pain, hearing changes, tinnitus, or dizziness after diving, avoid forceful equalization and seek medical evaluation.

Repeated difficulty equalizing pressure should also be discussed with a healthcare provider, particularly if you plan to continue diving.

Is It Safe to Dive With an Ongoing Cold, Allergy, or Nasal Congestion?

Diving with nasal congestion caused by a cold or allergies can make pressure equalization more difficult.

Swelling around the nose and upper airway may interfere with normal eustachian tube function.

Even mild congestion may become more problematic when underwater pressure changes.

Avoid diving when you have significant nasal congestion, ear pain, or difficulty equalizing pressure.

Do not rely on decongestants or other medications solely to make a dive possible, as their effects may wear off while underwater.

If you experience repeated equalization problems, consult a healthcare professional familiar with diving-related ear conditions before returning to diving.

Difficulty equalizing pressure should not be treated as an unavoidable part of diving.

When Is It Time to See an ENT Specialist for Ear Pressure?

Ear pressure after swimming or diving may resolve without treatment, particularly when the sensation is caused by water remaining in the outer ear canal.

However, persistent symptoms or symptoms associated with a pressure-related injury may require medical evaluation.

When Should You Arrange Prompt Medical Evaluation?

Arrange prompt medical evaluation for:

• Persistent or worsening ear pain after diving
• Continued muffled hearing or ear fullness
• Blood or drainage from the ear
• Repeated difficulty equalizing pressure

An ENT specialist can examine the ear canal and eardrum and determine whether additional testing may be appropriate.

When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Assessment?

Seek urgent medical assessment, ideally the same day, for:

• Sudden or rapidly developing hearing loss after diving
• New or persistent tinnitus accompanied by hearing changes
• Significant vertigo or balance problems after diving

These symptoms may indicate an inner-ear injury or another condition requiring timely assessment.

Avoid further diving until the cause has been evaluated.

When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Attention?

Seek emergency medical attention for:

• Severe vertigo with difficulty walking or repeated vomiting
• New weakness, numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or other neurological symptoms after diving
• Breathing difficulty, chest pain, or other concerning symptoms after scuba diving

Symptoms after scuba diving may sometimes indicate conditions beyond an ear-pressure problem, including decompression illness, and require immediate medical assessment.

Do not assume that significant dizziness or neurological symptoms after diving are caused only by ETD or routine ear pressure changes.

Conclusion: Learn More About Ear Pressure When Diving or Swimming With Jupiter Sinus and Allergy

Ear pressure after swimming or diving can have several possible causes, including trapped water, earwax buildup, swimmer’s ear, eustachian tube dysfunction, or middle-ear barotrauma.

Although some symptoms are temporary, persistent pain, hearing changes, tinnitus, or dizziness after diving should not automatically be considered normal.

Understanding the underlying cause is important for determining whether treatment, further testing, or a period away from diving may be necessary.

Jupiter Sinus and Allergy provides ear, nose, and throat care services for patients in Jupiter and nearby Palm Beach County communities.

If you are experiencing persistent difficulty equalizing ear pressure or ongoing ear discomfort associated with diving or swimming, schedule a consultation with our team to explore possible contributing factors and discuss appropriate diagnostic and treatment options.

 

Results may vary: Treatment outcomes and health experiences may differ based on individual medical history, condition severity, and response to care.‍

Emergency Notice: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.