Does anyone know about a perforated eardrum?

[FABIsInTraining]

DS2, age 4, has one .

[LilRedWG]

DD had one with an ear infection. All the gunk built up and then her ear drum perforated, letting said gunk out of her ear (and onto her clothes, pillow, me). GP said that the pain would have eased as soon as it burst.

[LilRedWG]

How is DS doing?

[seeker]

My dd had a perforated ear drum at about the same age. A horrible night of ear ache, followed by a lot of bloody gunge and complete relief from pain. The dr said to be careful with hair washing and the bath and no swimming for (I think) 4 weeks.No other treatment - she said to come back if there was any more pain, but it didn't hurt at all once it had perforated, and she never had any trouble from it again and no hearing problems at all.

Your poor dd - it did hurt a lot. It was 9 years ago and I still remember it as one of the worst nights of my life as a parent.

[welshdeb]

My ds suffered with ear infections badly for about 18 months and had a perforated eardrum a few times. At one point the doc was concerned because the hole was quite big and the bones were exposed.

However after antibiotics it did clear up and touch wood has had no more problems.

I would avoid getting water in his ear so no swimming and be careful in the bath etc. It might be painful in cold weather so a hat which covers his ears is also a good idea.

I would go to docs if you haven't already for treatment, and I would go back in a few weeks to ensure it is healing /healed.

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[FABIsInTraining]

Sorry, I had to go and feed the kids, then the cat, then the guinea pigs and then ice the cake.

18 times!!

No noticable discharge and only yesterday and today with him complaining.

He has antibiotics and a follow up at our normal GP in 3 weeks. If it is newly burst, it should heal itself and be fine by the new appointment, if not he will need it fixed .

He is currently fine in himself.

[FABIsInTraining]

The doc said it is probably why he is so loud in school, he can't hear fully .

He has had hearing problems when he was a newborn.

[TrickOrTrefusis]

Dd1 had repeated perforations due to infections when she was smaller, to the point that it stopped healing up and she now has a small permanent perforation. She needs to wear earplugs for swimming and hairwashing (I recommend "BioEars", available from Boots).

As she has grown the infections have become less frequent. She is now nearly 11 and has just been told that she's big enough to have the perforation repaired by surgery. She'll probably have it done in a couple of months.

[FABIsInTraining]

TrickOrTrefusis - as I said, DS2 is only 4 so what does the doctor mean about having it fixed if you have to be about 11 to have it repaired?

I am worried sick.

[ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave]

DS had repeated perforations with loads of gunk from 0-3yrs and his hearing is absolutely fine. He saw a wide range of GPs on different occasions, all but one of which said "yes, fine, probably feels better now it's burst, it'll fix itself". The other one said it should be checked again in a few weeks but TBH we didn't bother as he seemed fine and had coped without a checkup all the other times. I did get his hearing checked about six months ago to be on the safe side and there was no problem.

[FABIsInTraining]

I am worried as he has had hearing problems before.

Will definitely be getting it followed up.

[TrickOrTrefusis]

Definitely good to get it followed up, Fab.

But try not to worry (I know it's hard!) because very often they heal up on their own. Remember that dd1's is the way it is because of repeated perforations. And even then it doesn't always turn into a permanent perforation - her other eardrum also perforated frequently and healed up fine by itself. And even if it does become permanent - a stage which you are very, very far from as yet - it can be repaired.

Dd1 has had some hearing problems, but really minor ones. They were linked to glue ear. Both of her ears are well within normal range of hearing, including the perforated one .

[doubleexpresso]

We have has very similar problems to TrickOrTrefusis. In your situation FAB I would ask your GP to refer you to an ENT specialist and ask their advice. The important thing is to see if it heals or not. My DS now wears hearing aids as a result of perforated eardrums. His perforated once and then never healed, so a different situation from you, hopefully. My DS has had one operation to repair one eardrum which was unsuccessful and we are now (4 years later) waiting for another operation... I really hope your DS is getting better. A hot water bottle held on the ear can help relieve the pain.

[FABIsInTraining]

Thank you.

We will just have to wait and hope for the best.

[StillSquiffy]

FAB, perforated ear drums very common and usually heal. When Dr talked about having it fixed he may have meant that if ear cavity is small/narrow then grommets might need to be fitted - again very common - to stop repeat perforations. These were once suggested to me for DS but I took DS to cranial osteopath and that seemed to do the trick instead. here is a good summary of grommets for you.

[TwentiethCenturyHeffa]

I had a severe perforated eardrum as a child which was repaired when I was 15. As I understood it, the repair operation is best done as an adult but they do it earlier when there's a need. I've had several other perforations which have healed on their own.

I hope your DS is OK

[FABIsInTraining]

StillSquiffy - I thought about taking him back to the cranial osteopath as he has treated him before but not sure how he could help with a burst ear drum.

[StillSquiffy]

Cranial Osteo might be able to stop it happening again.

[FABIsInTraining]

I will bare it in mind once he is all right again, thank you.

[StealthPolarBear]

DS has had about 10 since last December, he's seeing a consultant who is useless. He's had loads of antibiotics too

[FABIsInTraining]

Poor love.

[twirlymum]

I have a severe perforation. I had repeated ear infections as a child, grommets (twice) and Goods tubes.
I had my tonsils out aged 15, and haven't had an ear infection since. My hearing is affected, but not my much, although I do have quite bad tinnitus.
I had a consultation re repairing it, but mine is in quite an awkward place, which would mean an incision behind my ear, with no guarantee that it would work (odds were 30-40%).
Apart from slight hearing loss, it's not bothered me.

Hope he is ok.

Something that used to work for me as a child (old wives tale, but it really works!) is to cut an onion in half, then heat it in the microwave (about 20secs or so, test it first- don't burn his ear!)
Wrap it in an old teatowel, then hold it to the affected ear. Apparently it draws out impurities (and wax).

[FABIsInTraining]

Will give it a go! Thanks.

[StealthPolarBear]

twirlymum is that before or after it's perforated?

[twirlymum]

Sorry for the late reply, I had to go to work.
I still use it now (very occasionally). It's a bit smelly, but it works.