why is water trapped in ear
Updated June 14, 2016. Fluid in the ear, also called serous otitis media (SOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME), is usually the result of an ear infection, but it can occur under any condition in which the auditory tube (eustachian tube) is impaired. The auditory tube allows fluid to drain from the ear into the back of the throat. If the auditory tube becomes clogged, fluid will become trapped in the middle ear space. This fluid is called an effusion by your healthcare providers. In addition to ear infections, the common cold and allergies can often lead to fluid in the ear.