Could These Be Ear Holes?
Greetings! I'm a 34-year-old woman who has undergone bariatric surgery and often grapples with health-related worries. Recently, I've noticed that my ears have been feeling excessively unclean, prompting me to purchase a digital otoscope to inspect them. To say I was shocked would be an understatement! Upon peering into my ears, I couldn't shake the feeling that there are large openings in my eardrums. I'm reaching out to see if anyone could take a look at my ear images and advise if this appears to be normal.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 1:40:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're feeling anxious about changes you've noticed in your ears, and it’s completely understandable, especially with your history of bariatric surgery and general health concerns. Let's break this down to help you understand your situation better.
Main Points:
- Using a digital otoscope can lead to discovering new things, but not all findings indicate an issue.
- Large openings in the eardrum may suggest a condition that requires attention, but not every appearance reflects a medical problem.
Explanation:
Eardrums, or tympanic membranes, play a crucial role in hearing and protecting the inner ear. It's normal for ear canals to have some wax and can sometimes appear unclean. However, if you notice large openings in your eardrums, this could indicate a perforation (a hole in the eardrum), which may result from infections, pressure changes, or other factors. Perforations can lead to issues like hearing loss or recurrent ear infections, but many can heal on their own.
Prioritized Next Steps:
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Avoid Self-Diagnosis: Resist the temptation to diagnose solely based on images you’ve taken. Eardrum evaluation is best left to professionals who can perform comprehensive examinations and assessments.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any additional symptoms, such as hearing loss, pain, drainage, or ringing in the ears. This information will be useful if you seek medical attention later.
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Practice Ear Hygiene: Clean your outer ear gently to maintain cleanliness, but avoid inserting anything into the ear canal that could exacerbate the issue.
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Seek Professional Help: If you continue to be concerned about what you see or if you develop any symptoms (like pain or hearing changes), consider scheduling an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for a thorough examination.
Remember, you’re taking a proactive step by exploring your health, but safe and appropriate evaluation by a professional is key to ensuring your well-being. If you have further questions or need clarity on specific terms, feel free to reach out.
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