Perforated ear drum - any experiences ?

Ansy38 · 08/10/2022 08:53

My eardrum burst when I was 12, very painful but cleared and healed. I would say that ear is a bit more sensitive than the other with head colds and cold weather but other than that not much difference. No audio damage though which is good.

Best wishes to you x

Suzi888 · 08/10/2022 08:56

Mine did. I was told this was unusual though as mostly it only heals in children. Hearing is fine.

Don’t let it get wet when washing your hair- ear infections are so painful. 💐

Mindymomo · 08/10/2022 09:02

My husband had a perforated ear drum about 15 years ago. He’s had 3 ear infections since and has to be careful not to get water in his ear. At that first time consultant advised that operation to close ear drum was only 50% successful, this year when he saw someone they told him success rates were more likely 90%. They do it with a skin graft. I think if he were younger, he’s 65 now, he would have the operation, but he's not considering it.

Clarinet1 · 08/10/2022 09:24

I’ve had a lot of these as I have Eustachian tubes which are not as curved as most adult’s. They are a nuisance. I second the advice to avoid getting water in the ear - when I’ve had a perforation I put cotton wool in the ears when I wash my hair. I have some hearing loss owing to severe scarring on the eardrums and wear hearing aids but I’m sure you’re a long way from that! If there is any trouble after a week I’d say go back to the doctor.

PaperPalace · 08/10/2022 09:27

I had a perforated ear drum as a child, it didn't heal so I had a successful operation to close it when I was 12yo. At the time I was told there was a 50/50 success rate for the op. That was years ago though so it may well have improved since then.

Beenheresomanytimesbefore · 08/10/2022 09:29

Mine burst after a head cold/infection about 15 years ago (I’m 42). Dr said allow about 6 weeks to heal. I was deaf in that ear for a while but it gradually wore off and after 6 weeks back to normal.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 08/10/2022 09:29

I had it about 5 years ago, the most painful thing I have ever been through until it burst and then the relief was instant. I am left with partial hearing and also permanent tinnitus.

Smartish · 08/10/2022 09:37

Clarinet1 · 08/10/2022 09:24

I’ve had a lot of these as I have Eustachian tubes which are not as curved as most adult’s. They are a nuisance. I second the advice to avoid getting water in the ear - when I’ve had a perforation I put cotton wool in the ears when I wash my hair. I have some hearing loss owing to severe scarring on the eardrums and wear hearing aids but I’m sure you’re a long way from that! If there is any trouble after a week I’d say go back to the doctor.

I’m not sure you mean Eustachian tubes as you cannot see them and would have no idea how curved they might be?!

OP, keep it dry with an ear plug. They sometimes heal depending on their size.

ElectedOnThursday · 08/10/2022 09:39

I’ve had this several times. Very uncomfortable. My GP says it takes 4 months to heal and it’s important to keep it dry in that time. They’ve also advised me not to swim in public pools.

I hope you feel better soon.

BogRollBOGOF · 08/10/2022 09:54

Mine perforated in a mass of pus and blood when I was 17. I had to be careful about keeping it dry for 6 weeks. Sound was very distorted initially and gradually normalised. I remember finding it awful walking by the background noise of a wet road on the way to a GP, so maybe earphones/ ear defenders would help.

I've had a smaller perforation since that healed up quite quickly. That was my last big ear infection after a childhood full of them.

I have tinnitus but always did have ears that whistled and switched on/ off; probably from earlier infections.

AloysiusBear · 08/10/2022 09:57

This happened to me a couple of times but as a young child, i have no hearing trouble as an adult but my gp noted once they could see scarring there.

One of DDs has burst 3 times (she's 3). The drs said it took 2-4 weeks to heal. A nephew's burst 5 or 6 times before he was given grommets.

Clarinet1 · 08/10/2022 09:58

I’ve had investigations and it is quite common in people with a certain medical condition which i
have.

Clarinet1 · 08/10/2022 10:00

Oops - that reply was meant for
Smartish.

RedHelenB · 08/10/2022 10:01

canthearmuch · 08/10/2022 08:40

Does it heal ? How long does it take ? It came on after massive ear pain and outer ear infection in both ears.

The ENT cleaned ears and saw there's a hole in my ear drum. I'm worried, ENT didn't want to say whether it will definitely heal. One ear drum is damaged, the other isn't.

Mines healed but I’ve gkt mild tinnitus in it now. The good news us I don't get any pain now when flying.

Original poster

canthearmuch · 08/10/2022 10:02

Clarinet1 · 08/10/2022 09:58

I’ve had investigations and it is quite common in people with a certain medical condition which i
have.

May I ask what condition that is ?

OP posts:

Sunnyqueen · 08/10/2022 10:02

I've had it 3 times, it is painful but also in a weird way relieving as well. Takes a few weeks but doesnt affect hearing in the long run.

Lolacat1234 · 08/10/2022 10:04

Mine took about 2 months to "heal" but it's never been the same since. I now suffer from Eustachian tube dysfunction in that ear, constantly blocked, cracking sounds, pulsatile tinnitus. Seeing ENT next week finally as I can't take any more after 2 years!

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 08/10/2022 10:05

I’ve had my fair share of them (and other peoples share…!). When I get a cold it very often ends up in my ears and an ear infection followed by a perforated ear drum.

they have always healed (but I have been told there is v likely to come a time when it may not) and I generally have mild tinnitus for 2-4w otherwise no lasting symptoms

ElectedOnThursday · 08/10/2022 11:12

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 08/10/2022 10:05

I’ve had my fair share of them (and other peoples share…!). When I get a cold it very often ends up in my ears and an ear infection followed by a perforated ear drum.

they have always healed (but I have been told there is v likely to come a time when it may not) and I generally have mild tinnitus for 2-4w otherwise no lasting symptoms

That sounds a lot like my experience. Some of us have a susceptibility to ear infections.

thedoofus · 08/10/2022 11:28

I had this once, as a kid. Had ear infection, got out of bed and promptly fell on floor, banging head. My mum wouldn't call the doctor - this was in the 80s, when GPs did house calls - because it was New Year's Day, so I spent the day in a great deal of pain. She felt terrible the next day!

Healed up fine - my ears get blocked up very easily, especially that one, but otherwise no lasting effects.

CuntyMcBollocks · 08/10/2022 12:21

Mine perforated when I was younger. It eventually healed, but it took a long time and was very painful. I did get bad infections in that ear for a while, and its never been quite the same again. For a long time afterwards I could jold my nose and mouth shut and blow air out of my ear. Great party trick 😂

riotlady · 08/10/2022 12:30

Yes, mine burst after a bad ear infection. Was very gross and leaky for a couple of weeks and hearing took about 6 weeks to properly come back.

mjf981 · 08/10/2022 12:33

I had one as a 11 year old. Not sure if it healed...I don't think anyone has looked down there since! Was incredibly painful. I think I have about 30% less hearing in that ear as a result. And can't dive - I've tried twice and both times the pain when I descend is intense in that ear, and I can't equalize.

Smartish · 08/10/2022 13:04

Clarinet1 · 08/10/2022 09:58

I’ve had investigations and it is quite common in people with a certain medical condition which i
have.

Fair enough. I've heard of (and seen) narrow ear canals but I've never heard of curved eustachian tubes.