Swimming After a Ruptured Eardrum
You can swim after a ruptured eardrum, but you should keep the affected ear dry until the perforation heals, which typically takes several weeks. 1
Immediate Precautions
Keep the ear completely dry during the healing period by avoiding swimming, showering with water entering the ear canal, and any water exposure that could introduce bacteria into the middle ear space. 1
The perforated tympanic membrane creates a direct pathway for waterborne bacteria to enter the middle ear cavity, making you vulnerable to infection, particularly from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. 2
Most small perforations heal spontaneously within several weeks, but the ear must remain dry during this healing period. 1
When Swimming Becomes Safe
Surface swimming in clean, chlorinated pools is generally safe once the perforation has completely healed, as confirmed by your physician on examination. 2, 3
Even after healing, avoid diving or deep underwater swimming initially, as these activities create significant pressure changes at the eardrum that could stress a recently healed membrane. 3
If You Must Protect Your Ear Before Healing
Cotton wool coated in petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is the most effective waterproof ear protection if you absolutely need to shower or have incidental water exposure before healing is complete. 4
Custom-made silicone ear plugs are considerably more expensive and have been shown to be less effective at sealing the ear canal compared to petroleum jelly-coated cotton wool. 4
Never use materials like Play-Doh or silly putty as makeshift ear plugs, as these can become lodged in the ear canal. 5
High-Risk Water Exposures to Avoid
Completely avoid swimming in lakes, rivers, hot tubs, bath water, or stagnant ponds while the perforation is present, as these water sources carry higher bacterial loads and pose greater infection risk. 2, 3
Chlorinated pool water is safer than fresh or ocean water, but should still be avoided until the perforation heals. 3
Warning Signs Requiring Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical evaluation if you develop ear drainage (otorrhea), increasing pain, fever, or hearing loss after water exposure with a perforated eardrum, as these indicate middle ear infection. 2, 1
Vertigo, nausea, or profound hearing loss after water exposure may indicate inner ear involvement or ossicular chain disruption and requires urgent otolaryngologic evaluation. 1
Follow-Up Timeline
Schedule follow-up examination within one month to confirm the perforation has healed before resuming normal water activities. 1
Perforations that do not heal spontaneously within one month require otolaryngologic referral for possible tympanoplasty. 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not assume the perforation has healed based on symptom resolution alone—visual confirmation by a physician using otoscopy is essential before swimming. 1
Avoid irrigation of the ear canal and pneumatic otoscopy while the perforation is present, as these can introduce infection or worsen the injury. 1
Do not use cotton-tip applicators to clean the ear canal, as this increases infection risk and can worsen the perforation. 2