Drainage from the ear, also called otorrhea, refers to any fluid or discharge coming from your ear. The most common of these is earwax—an oil that your ears naturally produce as a barrier to debris and bacteria. Ear drainage, however, can also be a symptom of an ear infection or injury. Our board-certified otolaryngologists specialize in diagnosing and treating the cause of your ear drainage at our Arizona locations.
What does it mean if your ear is draining fluid?
You may notice fluid or another substance draining from an ear for several reasons, including infection, swimmer’s ear, ruptured eardrum, or earwax. Earwax, which can be yellow or brownish, is the most common reason.
Earwax: Healthy earwax may be white, yellow, or brown, and the ears naturally remove it. In some cases, earwax can mix with other substances, like water, and appear runny. If earwax becomes impacted, it can cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, pain, ringing (tinnitus), or hearing loss. In these cases, having one of our physicians remove the earwax is best.
Infection: A middle ear infection, called otitis media, causes a buildup of fluid behind the ear drum. It is especially common in children but can happen at any age. Symptoms may include fever, pressure, pain, muffled hearing, and white, yellow, or green discharge from the ears. Sometimes, the fluid causes so much pressure that the eardrum bursts.
Swimmer’s ear: Acute otitis externa, more commonly called swimmer’s ear, occurs when an outer ear canal is infected. Bad-smelling fluid drains from the affected ear, which can become excessive if left untreated.
Perforated (ruptured) eardrum: Injury, infection, loud noises, or a sudden change in air pressure (such as flying on an airplane) can result in a ruptured eardrum. One of the symptoms of a burst eardrum is fluid, blood, or pus leaking from your ear. Other symptoms include pain, ringing, feeling dizzy, and elevated temperature.
Other, less common conditions can also cause fluid drainage from the ears. Our ENT specialists have the training and experience to diagnose and effectively treat the cause of your ear drainage.
An ENT doctor spends 4 years at college, 4 years at medical school, and then 5 to 7 years after that in a residency program specializing in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. Our board-certified ENTs pass written and oral exams and participate in continuous education to maintain their certification. When you visit one of our Arizona locations, you can trust you're seeing one of the most qualified specialists in the region and that your care will be second to none.
When To See a Physician
You should schedule an appointment with your doctor whenever you notice fluid other than wax leaking from the ear. In the meantime, keep the ear dry and avoid swimming or submerging your head in water. You should see a doctor immediately if you notice drainage after a traumatic injury, experience sudden hearing loss, have visual disturbances, or have a high fever.
Diagnosing the Cause of Ear Drainage
An experienced ENT will examine your ear with an otoscope to diagnose the cause of your ear drainage. In some cases, they may order further tests, which may include a CT, MRI, or hearing test.
How do you treat ear discharge?
Treatment for fluid from the ear depends on what is causing the problem. Your doctor will advise you to keep the ear dry and avoid swimming.
Middle ear infections: If your infection persists for more than a few days, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. You can use over-the-counter medications to relieve pain.
Swimmer’s ear: A doctor will clean the outer ear canal and prescribe antibiotic or antifungal ear drops.
Ruptured eardrum: A perforated eardrum often heals without treatment. If an infection develops, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic.
Being prepared will help you get the most out of your appointment. Please bring a list of medications you're currently taking and any pertinent test results—such as labs or imaging—to your appointment. Additionally, let your provider know of any drug allergies or medical conditions you have or for which you are being treated and if you've had any prior surgical procedures.
Visit Our ENT Specialists
Our team of ear, nose, and throat specialists is committed to providing thorough, personalized care to treat the cause of your ear drainage and improve your quality of life. If you’ve noticed fluid draining from your ear and related symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan at one of our Arizona locations.