Experiencing a plugged ear after swimming leaves many newbie swimmers wondering exactly what they did wrong in the pool. Plugged or blocked ears occur fairly regularly among swimmers of all skill levels.

When one listens to music or hears someone speak, the brain must process what it has heard. In order to be understood, sounds must first be converted to vibrations in the middle ear and then to electrical impulses in the inner ear.

Inner ear and brain are the main components of the vestibular system. However, disease or damage to these organs can occur due to genetic or environmental factors and can lead to vestibular disorders such as benign paraoxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, and secondary endolymphatic hydrops.

Fluid in the ear can lead to painful infection, hearing loss, balance disruption and even vomiting or diarrhea, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Ear pain is a hallmark of childhood; almost all children have experienced earaches at one time in their short lives. Some ear pain is the sign of a bacterial infection, while other discomfort may be simply a result of congestion or a change in air pressure.

When fluid accumulates in the ear, it can cause pressure. Remedies used for treating ear pressure caused by fluid rely on clearing the fluid and treating the condition that caused the fluid to accumulate. In general, fluid can form due to an infection or from poorly functioning eustachian tubes.

Excessive fluid in the ear is the most universal form of hearing loss among children. The middle ear is located behind the eardrum and is normally filled with air. When a child has middle ear fluid, it means there is a buildup of watery or mucus-like fluid.

An auricular hematoma, more commonly known as cauliflower ear, occurs when the cartilage of the outer ear is damaged. Boxers and wrestlers are at particular risk for this injury, but any blow to the ear can result in damage and lead to cauliflower ear.

Fluid in the ear can cause pain, dizziness and make it difficult for individuals to participate in daily activities. Most often children are the ones who are diagnosed with ear infections; however, it can occur in adults.

Children are susceptible to rupture of the eardrum for several reasons. Some suffer from frequent ear infections, while others cannot resist poking things into their ear canals.

When the Eustachian tube, or narrow passage between the inner ear and the back of the throat, is not working properly, fluid can build up. The fluid can cause other problems to occur, such as infections and inflammation.

Most ear pain is caused by inflammation or infection in the middle ear. Although ear infections are more common in children, adults can also develop middle ear infections, or otitis media.