十万个为什么·科学启蒙30篇（4）

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为什么游泳时耳朵会进水发闷

Water can enter the ear canal easily when you dive or submerge your head underwater.
Unlike air, water doesn’t compress, so it blocks sound waves from reaching the eardrum.
This trapped water makes sounds seem distant, hollow, or muffled to the listener.
The ear canal’s shape and narrow opening sometimes prevent water from draining out quickly.
Tiny hairs and wax inside the canal may trap water even more effectively.
Shaking your head or tilting it helps gravity drain some of the water away.
Using warm air from a hairdryer on low setting can gently evaporate remaining moisture.
If water stays too long, it may cause swimmer’s ear — an outer ear infection.
Earplugs designed for swimming help prevent water entry altogether.
The ear’s natural design works well in air but faces challenges in water.