Perforated eardrum

[Lolacat1234]

Can anyone who has had this before tell me how long I'm going to be completely deaf in that ear? It is awful, I've finished my weeks course of antibiotics yesterday and still having random shooting pains in my ear, complete hearing loss with tinnitus (ringing) and pulsatile tinnitus (heartbeat pulse in ear). I'm more deaf now than I was when it first happened?! Literally no improvement. Feel like it's going to be this way forever!

I had mastoiditis in March- hospitalised on oramorph & intravenous antibiotics. My eardrum was bulging then burst. When I got home the total deafness and tinnitus began. I was exactly the same as you for months. Very slowly my hearing returned, I’d say it was ok by September. In October I had a hearing test and it was fine. It was a horrible experience! I feel for you! I have a cold now and I’m worried my ears will get bad!

Thank you for your response that sounds horrible!! It's awful I feel trapped in my own head if that makes sense, getting frustrated at the lack of hearing. At least there is light at the end of the tunnel even if it might take months! Glad you are all better now! I have never once had trouble with my ears in my life so this is totally new to me and I think I'll worry the same as you every time I get a cold. I got this burst eardrum at the tail end of a head cold as I tipped my head upside down to dry my hair :/ x

Tipping your head - never even crossed my mind! it’s crazy isn’t it! No - Me either!
(My grandma had ear cancer and my mum has suffered all her life). But i seem to follow my dad.
I use cotton wool and Vaseline when washing my hair to keep water out.
Olive oil now and then...
It’s like being locked in your own world, I used to get irritated with my mum for being deaf - sometimes - due to these infections. As a teen.
I have new found respect 😢
I saw a specialist who said my ear drum had grown back, apparently unusual .... used to think my mum was nuts wrapping her ears up in the cold weather, not swimming, not getting them wet.
You might hopefully regain your hearing earlier - look after yourself and your ears! x

@Lolacat1234 did your hearing come back and did your tinnitus go? I don’t know if my drum has burst. I had pain for a few weeks on and off but this week there’s a pulse in left ear and I feel like I’m under water! And right ear is ringing too...

@mehripoop it did come back eventually but I still get the odd crackle in my ear and still hear and feel my pulse in my ear really strong when it’s beating fast after excercise. It took a good 6 months to go back to relative normal xxx

Thank you. I’m having melt downs because I can’t take my ear ringing in the night or when I’m alone. It’s petrified me... maybe I need to see a dr... I’ve had ear drops on and off and that’s it. Thanks @Lolacat1234. Did your ringing go?

Yes it did eventually x

@Lolacat1234 did you have pressure in your ears and sound sensitivity?

Yes and I still get that occasionally but it comes and goes and is very mild xx