swimmer's ear
noun
: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, and discharge and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected usually with a bacterium
Examples of swimmer's ear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People with swimmer's ear often experience pain, itching, drainage, and mild hearing loss.4
Treatment for swimmer's ear may include:4
Ear drops: Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear the infection.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Dec. 2024
While most swimmer's ear cases are bacterial in origin, a subset of people develop a fungal infection, which requires different treatment.
—Cathie Ericson, Health, 23 May 2024
This bacteria is the red flag of common bacteria that affects children leading to rashes, itchiness, and swimmer's ear.
—Medgina Saint-Elien, House Beautiful, 22 June 2023
Otitis externa, more commonly known as swimmer's ear, was the most common ailment, accounting for 4.7 million or 65% of annual waterborne illnesses and 20% of hospitalizations.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 16 Dec. 2020
Meanwhile, Neanderthals seem more than twice as likely to suffer swimmer's ear (about 48%).
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 19 Aug. 2019
In modern human populations, some people are more prone to swimmer's ear than others.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 19 Aug. 2019
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends this approach to prevent swimmer's ear.
—Houston Chronicle, 8 July 2018
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Dec. 2024
While most swimmer's ear cases are bacterial in origin, a subset of people develop a fungal infection, which requires different treatment.
—Cathie Ericson, Health, 23 May 2024
This bacteria is the red flag of common bacteria that affects children leading to rashes, itchiness, and swimmer's ear.
—Medgina Saint-Elien, House Beautiful, 22 June 2023
Otitis externa, more commonly known as swimmer's ear, was the most common ailment, accounting for 4.7 million or 65% of annual waterborne illnesses and 20% of hospitalizations.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 16 Dec. 2020
Meanwhile, Neanderthals seem more than twice as likely to suffer swimmer's ear (about 48%).
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 19 Aug. 2019
In modern human populations, some people are more prone to swimmer's ear than others.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 19 Aug. 2019
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends this approach to prevent swimmer's ear.
—Houston Chronicle, 8 July 2018
Cite this Entry
“Swimmer's ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swimmer%27s%20ear. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swimmer's ear
noun
swim·mer's ear
ˈswim-ərz- 
: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, discharge, and sometimes hearing loss and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected with a bacterium (as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus) or rarely with a fungus
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