Doctors in Vienna are sounding the alarm as an increasing number of people are suffering from swimming-related ear infections this summer.

Speaking to ORF, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist Herbert Stark noted a rise in cases of what is commonly known as “bathing otitis,” where the ear canal becomes inflamed due to germs entering the ear.

“I have been working in the ENT field for around 40 years, and it has never been as busy as it is now,” Stark said.

According to Stark, the rise in bathing otitis can be attributed to more people swimming and sweating in the intense heat.

Adding to the problem is the increased use of in-ear headphones.

“It’s naturally warm and humid behind these earbuds because people also sweat, and this can easily lead to inflammation,” Stark explained. “Bacteria thrive in this moist environment, including staphylococci and streptococci.”

Stark also mentioned a noticeable uptick in patients with fungal infections in their ear canals.

From a medical standpoint, one drawback of in-ear headphones is that they can impede the natural drainage of earwax, Stark said. “Earwax serves an important function by helping the ear get rid of dead skin cells. If earplugs prevent this process, the earwax can harden in the ear canal, and if bathwater gets trapped, it creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.”

Bathing otitis is typically treated with ear drops containing antibiotics or cortisone. To prevent ear infections, Stark advises against wearing in-ear headphones continuously, particularly when they are not in use.