Damn..Perforated Ear Drum

[monkeebiz]

Afternoon,

Just been down to my docs who confirms that, having lost the hearing in my left ear last week, I've had an ear infection which has resulted in a perforated ear drum.
Now, I know it'll heal but my question is to anyone else that has suffered this (there will be a few propably).Have you, or anyone you know, had any after effects once the ear has recovered??

[Tony Dwyer]

Afternoon,

Just been down to my docs who confirms that, having lost the hearing in my left ear last week, I've had an ear infection which has resulted in a perforated ear drum.
Now, I know it'll heal but my question is to anyone else that has suffered this (there will be a few propably).Have you, or anyone you know, had any after effects once the ear has recovered??

I've perforated my right eardrum twice. Once over 30 years ago, in somewhat unpleasant circumstances and again 3 years ago due to a nasty middle ear infection. I didn't know that the drum was bust until after the infection had cleared up and a friend spotted bubbles coming out of my right ear while in our pool at 3 mtrs! :)

It's healed fine and I have no real problems, though I've had impaired hearing on my right ever since the first incident.

[NickMcV]

Much the same with me - once the drum had healed, gave it a couple of extra weeks to be on the safe side, then carried on as normal. No subsequent problems....

[monkeebiz]

Thanks for the help guys, hearing has actually returned this morning but there's still a bit of pain there so hopefully that'll subside and there'll be no lasting effect.

Even better news is that I can now tell the wife that the damned expensive dive watch she's just bought me as a 40th present does have other uses other than tell the time:)

[lipstickdiver]

:confused: Hi. I've had a similar problem only my perforation refuses to heal! I've had a myringoplasty operation and am still left with a small tear in my ear drum.

Does anyone have any tips on how to promote healing? The consultant says my skin is particularly thin and to try zinc supplements but no luck yet.

Any ideas? :confused:

Has anyone out there done any serious diviing with a slight perforation? I've got a trip to the Galapagos planned for March and I can't bear the thought of not being able to dive.

Lipstickdiver

[William van Niekerk]

Hi Lipstickdiver

Have you had resolution of your perforated eardrum problems? This may be too late, but I thought I'd give you my penny's worth.

I've dived with a microperforation for 12 years with no ill effect. Mine allows air, but not water through. I had perforated my eardrum as a child in the course of an episode of otitis media, and thought that it had healed completely. However, I suspected that there was a residual perforation because I am able to blow bubbles through my ear (dead giveaway really!). I asked a colleague who is one of the gods of ENT surgery to check it out. He confirmed the diagnosis (no surprise) and advised me that there was no need to discontinue diving, and certainly no need for a myringoplasty (in my case).

As you are no doubt aware, the dangers associated with a perforated eardrum in the context of diving are mainly:

1. Loss of balance/orientation in the acute phase and whenever cold water rushes into the middle ear;
2. Recurrent middle ear infections in the long run (with potential progressive loss of hearing).

In an established perforation, the latter could be avoided by wearing a "Pro Ear Mask" (really designed to help otitis externa sufferers). This is a big sacrifice in the "coolness" department, but at least allows you to continue diving! I still wear a regular mask, since my perforation is too small to let any water in (phew!).

Just one word of warning: If you've had a perforation which has healed, there is of course no reason for special precautions, and you can carry on as normal (the scar tissue does not necessarily leave any significant weakness). If you've had a myringoplsty, however, you have to remember that the myringoplasty site is very thin and forever will remain so. If it does heal up completely, you are at an increased risk of reperforation, especially if you happen to be too vigorous in your equalisation.

Hope this is of help. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to ask any more detailed questions.

[muttbird]

I have a perforated eardrum that is inoperable. Where can I obtain information on the 'Pro Ear Mask' mentioned above? I would very much like to dive again.

[PeteM]

I have a perforated eardrum that is inoperable. Where can I obtain information on the 'Pro Ear Mask' mentioned above? I would very much like to dive again.

Try googling

[muttbird]

Thanks Pete,found the device on Google and will order one. Muttbird

[archiedickens]

Hi there, I was wondering, as I had perforated ear drums when I was a youngster, will I have problems diving? Is there something I can do to ascertain whether or not I will be ok?

[Dave Whitlow]

I wouldn't have thought so as childhood ear problems tend to be around infections. Once healed they should be fine. I had a perforated eardrum a couple of years ago and it was healed in a few weeks.

So long as your eadrums are intact now you should be ok. If unsure then I suggest a call to a diving doctor (rather than your GP).

[Richard Whitcombe]

The answer is...depends.

If its a genetic/birthhood weakness that caused it to rupture it might be a no to diving. Its its caused by an accident that has healed it might be a yes to diving.

The only way to find out is go to one of the medical referees (NOT a GP). There is a list on the BSAC site.

[MattS]

Hi there, I was wondering, as I had perforated ear drums when I was a youngster, will I have problems diving? Is there something I can do to ascertain whether or not I will be ok?As Richard says, it depends. My soon to be wife suffered from recurrent ear infections as a child. They always healed up but as an adult she can not clear her ears, making diving out of the question.

Ears are quite complicated and they can be damaged permanently with relative ease. You can ask your GP to check your eardrum is working generally but to be safe about it you need to speak with a diving doctor before you try scuba diving.