How long for a perforated eardrum to heal?

[mawbroon]

just a quick one as I am going out in a min...

I had an awful ear infection last week, got a course of antibiotics which I finish today.

Apart from an occasional stabbing pain, it is ok, apart from not being able to hear on that side.

I am assuming that my ear drum perforated because there was gunk coming out of my ear last week, and it must have got out somehow!!

So, how long before I can hear properly again? And how long before I go and bother the doc if the hearing doesn't come back?

TIA, will check back later today.

They normally heal within 24 hours of perforation but can be wide variation. I would see GP sooner rather than later re hearing loss. HTH

Oh, ok. I was thinking it would take days or weeks to heal. Might look at going back tomorrow then, as it's been 10 days since initial probs.

Since I posted, the hearing has changed. It's not any better, but now I am hearing everything echoing round which is very odd....

My last one took a couple of weeks to heal properly. My GP said that was fine, but did see me twice in that time to keep an eye on it in case there was further infection.

Thanks for your replies.

I think I will go back tomorrow then. I still have a bit of pain, but of course nothing like it was last week. I am allergic to penicillin which I think is what they would give as a first option, and being pg limits the other choices I think, so perhaps the infection isn't fully zapped yet.

It is amazing how I take my hearing for granted. I am finding noisy places very stressful just now, and probably ignoring people and appearing rude simply because I can't hear them.

Hope it clears up soon Mawbroon. I was really shocked last time mine perforated (hadn't had one since a teenager) at how upsetting I found it to be in a crowd. I have a hearing problem anyway, but it was really surprising how much it stressed me out.

mawbroon

I would ask your GP to refer you to an ENT specialist now; this is not one for the GP to try and mess around with now. It may require specialist treatment.

The gunk is indicative of infection present.

I feel strongly about the above as my DH had a perforated eardrum as a child following a viral infection and it never healed properly afterwards. Gp mucked around with it in ignorance and his lack of action along with the virus has caused long term hearing problems as a result. These problems have only been partially corrected in adulthood through the intervention of an ENT surgeon.

Second referral. I had a perforated eardrum last year after a GP refused antibiotics, it hasn't healed properly and I am partially deaf in that ear.

I am waiting to see an ENT guy again to see how bad the damage is and to find out if they can do anything.

Oh dear. I don't like the sound of hearing problems and surgery. Hope it doesn't come to that.

I saw the doc again this morning and he gave me another course of antibiotics and an ear spray. I will wait and see what happens and will insist on going back if still not back to 100% as before.

Thanks everyone for posting

Mawbroon I know its a few years ago but do you remember how long it took to fully feel good again ?

i have your problem and im about to go crazy ...

Hi jorene and maw room

Please help I have this now. Jorene , how long did it take to get yr hearing back? Mine burst 2 weeks ago and I am still totally deaf in that ear and can't tolerate noisy places, with 3 kids its a problem.

The pain was unreal but I just want reassurance my hearing will return,

How long did it take.

Please please reply,

Thanks

Faye

Hi there Mond I had this in July last year - it takes at least 6 weeks to heal. It is the most horrible claustophobic feeling.
Your hearing will return as long as you are on antibiotics and have regular appts. with your doctor to monitor.

Sorry - I know it is awful. Hope you feel better soon

Hi, this also happened to me around 11 days ago, ear infection then ruptured eardrum. I am going crazy with it now, can't hear properly from left ear and awful loud ringing driving me insane. Please tell me it will get better. Thanks so much in advance for any help.
Please reply

This happened to me last week too :( Patiently waiting for my hearing to return. At least I'm not in pain, so that is good - but have a blocked sensation - totally deaf out of my left ear. I have finished the antibiotics and been to the doctor, and was told there is no more infection. I have an appointment with the ENT doctor in 6 weeks. Hoping that it will get better soon.

@Rottontomato did it get better?? The ringing I mean

I had a ruptured eardrum last June. They said it would heal itself but by the beginning of September my hearing still wasn’t right so I went back to the GP who said it hadn’t healed and I’d got an infection so I had antibiotics and went back a couple of times afterwards to make sure it was healing and it was.

It still never felt right and I went back in February and had another hole in it and a slight infection which they told me to buy a spray for.

It still didn’t seem right but that’s when COVID came along so I left it. I had another infection in July. None of theses infections were too bad then I got another last weekend and I’ve not felt so unwell for ages and the pain was awful. I had to go to the hospital to be seen as my temperature was over 38 the GP wouldn’t see me. My eardrum has burst since and a lot of thick green discharge has come out. They referred me to ENT and I’ve got an appointment next Wednesday so hopefully get some help. My hearing in that ear is awful and like you said in any situation with background noise I have real trouble hearing.