Earache

[Tinker]

Need a bit of advice for me on this. Have an ear infection, ear drum ruptured on Sunday night after agonising pain and am now on anti-biotics. However, a number of questions:

How do I clear the ear properly of all the gunge without harming the ear drum again?

How long does it take for the ear drum to heal?

When will I get my hearing back - feel almost completely deaf in that ear?

And, I'm due to fly in 12 days - is this going to be excruciating?

I'm just trying to by pass the doctor's with all these questions but any advice would help. Thanks

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Robinw - thanks for that. Dreading hearing (no pun intended) that I mustn't fly for 3 weeks.

Tinks- hope you feel better soon. Sounds horrible (no pun intended)and painful. I'm gonna send ear healing vibes up and down the country and hope they reach you.

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Thanks Scum - they must be getting hear(pun intended)since I went back to work today However, can't hear my boss's voice too well

Robinw - I'm going to the docs tomorrow to see how things are getting on. I'm not going to ask outright if I should fly, just sort of phrase it in a "What would be the worst that could happen if I flew in 10 days" kind of thing. A friend at work was telling me that her ear drum burst mid flight !!!!

Robinw - went to the doctor's this evening - told NOT to fly She said it just wasn't worth the risk in terms of potential pain and damage to my hearing. Disappointed but, hey, it's only money

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Sorry, bit self-indulgent this. Robinw, went to see a different doctor this morning who said "Go, live dangerously, take a risk"! Now torn. Ear feels OK, no pain, just a bit crackly and still a bit deaf. Dilemma now!

I'd risk it for a biscuit, Tinker!

Scummy - I am, thanks. Just booked my hotels! Getting a bit excited now! Please, anyone, don't tell me I shouldn't go.

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robinw, thanks for all you advice. I'm only going to Italy so only a 1 3/4 hour flight. Will any gum do or does it have to be xylitol? If, so, where do I get that from? Thanks.

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robin - just bought 3 packs! It actually advertises that it contains xylitol now. Wrigleys must be reading this board

dd had a perforated ear drum 2 weeks before we were due to take her abroad for the first time she was 9 months at the time, when I asked the doc she had no hesitation in telling us to go. DD was on anitbiotics for most of the 2 weeks and had no problems on the flight there or back.

Enjoy yourself.

Thanks everyone for telling me to go - I did and it was fab

No problems in the air but a little tip for the future - my daughter was crying with the pain and a steward gave her 2 cups which had tissues which had been soaked in boiling water at the bottom. She had to place them over ears - worked a treat! Scientifically, the hot air must have an effect but, I think, the distraction of looking like a space alien helped too!