Can an outer ear infection cause hearing loss?

An outer ear infection — known medically as otitis externa and commonly as swimmer's ear — affects the ear canal, the passage leading to the eardrum. It can cause a temporary reduction in hearing, though this is usually short-lived once the infection is treated. Understanding why it happens can help you know when to seek care.

How does an outer ear infection affect hearing?

Hearing relies on sound travelling cleanly down the ear canal to the eardrum. When the canal becomes inflamed and swollen, or fills with discharge and debris, that pathway is partly blocked. The result is often a muffled, blocked, or underwater feeling in the affected ear. This is a conductive type of hearing change, and in most cases it eases as the swelling settles and the canal clears. It is generally temporary rather than permanent.

What are the common signs?

Outer ear infections tend to cause noticeable symptoms, which can include:

• Ear pain or tenderness, sometimes worse when you tug the outer ear
• Itchiness inside the ear canal
• Discharge or a feeling of wetness
• A blocked or muffled sensation and reduced hearing
• Redness or swelling around the ear

These symptoms can be uncomfortable, and it is best not to poke or scratch inside the ear, as this may make things worse.

What should you do about it?

An active outer ear infection is a medical matter, so your GP or pharmacist is usually the right first port of call. They may examine the ear and recommend appropriate treatment to settle the infection. Keeping the ear dry while it heals is commonly advised. Avoid cotton buds, which can push debris deeper and irritate the canal. If the infection is recurring, severe, or not improving, further review is sensible.

When should hearing be checked afterwards?

In most cases, hearing returns to normal once the infection resolves and the canal is clear. If you find that a blocked or muffled feeling lingers after the infection has settled, or if you have frequent infections, it is worth having your ears and hearing checked. Repeated infections can sometimes leave debris or affect the canal, and an audiologist can examine your ears, check your hearing, and confirm whether everything has recovered.

Can you reduce the chance of getting one again? A few simple habits may help lower the risk, particularly for people prone to swimmer's ear. Drying your ears gently after swimming or showering, tilting your head to let water drain, and avoiding cotton buds all support a healthy ear canal. Some regular swimmers find well-fitted swim plugs helpful, and an audiologist can advise on custom options. If you are prone to repeated infections, it is worth discussing prevention with a professional rather than simply treating each episode as it arises. Looking after the ear canal helps protect both your comfort and the clear pathway that your hearing depends on.

At Hearing Help in Newport Marketplace on the Redcliffe Peninsula, a qualified audiologist can examine your ears and assess your hearing once an infection has cleared, and coordinate with your GP where a medical review is needed. No referral is needed to book an assessment. If you are currently in pain or unwell, see your GP first for treatment of the infection itself.