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Q: I am confused about how to prevent swimmer’s ear.

A: You can purchase over-the-counter ear drops to prevent swimmer’s ear.

What’s more common with ear cleaning, he said, is that people damage the skin in the ear canal, leading to swimmer’s ear—which, despite the name, you can get without swimming—and symptoms like itching, pain, and even difficulty hearing.

In a separate study released last year, a team led by anthropologist Erik Trinkaus of Washington University reported that many Neanderthals suffered from “swimmer’s ear,” bony growths that form in the ear canal through regular exposure to cold water or chilly air.

The findings support previous research that suggests Neanderthals waded or swam through water, and even developed swimmer’s ear.