Concerns About Eardrum Damage Following a Swim
**Background Information:** I am a 29-year-old man in good health. Throughout my childhood, I experienced issues with my right ear, which was prone to sensitivity, pain, and infections. At one point, I was diagnosed with a small perforation in my eardrum, which was said to be minor and expected to heal naturally. Fortunately, I haven't encountered any problems for the past decade, even while engaging in activities like swimming and diving. Recently, however, everything changed. About four days ago, while swimming, I leapt from a considerable height into the water, and afterward, I noticed my hearing on the right side became muffled. Oddly enough, I did not experience any pain at that moment. Since that incident, my hearing has remained diminished; I estimate roughly a 10% loss in auditory function in my right ear. Sounds, particularly bass, have become significantly less clear—about 80% of the bass response is gone when I use headphones. There's also an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, accompanied by tinnitus. To address the situation, I used a small ear cleaning tool that I keep at home for occasional wax removal. I ensured it was sanitized before examining my ear and discovered a hole in the eardrum. I have scheduled an appointment with an ENT specialist, but the wait could take up to 15 days. I’m feeling quite anxious about the potential for recovery. Given these circumstances, what are the chances that this might heal on its own? Note that I do not have any symptoms like fever, pain, or dizziness, which adds to my concerns while I await my appointment with the ENT specialist.
Answers (1)
7/26/2025, 10:30:54 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel anxious given the changes you’ve experienced with your ear, especially considering your previous history with eardrum issues. The symptoms you’re describing, such as muffled hearing and tinnitus following trauma while swimming, suggest that you might have a perforated eardrum again. This condition can sometimes improve on its own, but the healing process can vary.
Explanation
When there’s a perforation (a hole) in the eardrum, it can affect your hearing due to disrupted sound transmission. The absence of pain is a positive sign, but the presence of muffled hearing and tinnitus indicates that your ear is experiencing some stress. Many minor perforations can heal naturally over time, often within several weeks to months, but the success of this healing depends on the size and location of the perforation, among other factors.
Next Steps
While you await your ENT appointment, here are some prioritized actions you can take:
-
Avoid Getting Water in Your Ear:
- When showering or swimming, protect your ear by using a soft earplug or a waterproof ear cover to prevent further irritation or infection.
-
Keep Your Ear Dry:
- If possible, avoid using any ear cleaning tools, as these can further damage the eardrum or introduce bacteria.
-
Manage Tinnitus:
- To ease the discomfort of tinnitus, you might find relief through relaxation techniques or gentle background noise (like a fan or white noise), which can help mask the sound.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep track of any changes in your symptoms - improvement, worsening, or the development of new symptoms (such as fever or pain) that would warrant more immediate attention.
-
Seek Immediate Care if Necessary:
- If you experience sudden severe pain, dizziness, or drainage from your ear (especially if it's colored or has a foul odor), seek immediate medical attention.
As you await your appointment, these steps can help protect your ear and possibly enhance your recovery. Given your history and current symptoms, it's a positive move that you've already booked an appointment with an ENT specialist. They can provide tailored care and assess the need for further interventions.
Please know that it's normal to feel anxious, but many eardrum perforations do heal on their own, and you are taking the right actions by monitoring your symptoms and seeking specialist care.
Related Questions
Assessing My Copper Levels: Seeking Guidance
Greetings! I appreciate you allowing me to join this discussion. I'm feeling quite anxious about the possibility of having Wilson's Disease. I am currently trying to make sense of my situation. After receiving advice, I underwent Copper and Ceruloplasmin blood tests, especially since my Transferrin levels have been consistently below the normal range. Now, I'm unsure whether I should consider taking a tiny daily amount of copper (0.9 ml) and then retest in three to four weeks. Here are my most recent results. I also completed a 24-hour urine test, which indicated low Copper and Ceruloplasmin levels, while the urine analysis returned normal results. Furthermore, I'm anticipating the results of my ATP7B gene test, which should arrive sometime next week. I’ve also noted that unbound copper levels appear slightly elevated. **Test Results** - Ferritin: 50.0 (normal range 10 - 291 ng/mL) - Iron: 16.8 (normal range 9.0-30.4 µmol/L) - Transferrin: 2.2 (normal range 2.50-3.80 g/L) - Transferrin Saturation: 31 (normal range 16-45 %) - Iron-binding Capacity: 55 (normal range 45 - 63 µmol/L) - Creatinine: 57.0 (normal range 44-71 µmol/L) - ASAT: 20 (normal range <34 u/L) - ALAT: 18 (normal range 10-49 u/L) - Zinc: 86.0 (normal range 70.0-120.0 µg/dL) - Active B12: 159.41 (normal range 27.24-169.62 pmol/L) **Copper Levels** - Ceruloplasmin: 0.18 (normal range 0.20-0.60 g/L) - Copper: 70 (normal range 80 - 155 µg/dL) - 24-hour Urine Copper: 14.3 (normal range <30 µg/24h) - Unbound Copper: 16 µg/dL I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice from anyone who might be knowledgeable in this area. Thank you very much!
Could These Indicate Hyperthyroidism?
Demographics: Age - Early 30s Weight: 58 kg Medications: None Currently Taken I lead an active lifestyle, exercising between one to three times weekly and typically consuming three to four meals a day. As of now, my overall health seems satisfactory. However, throughout much of my life, I have frequently experienced the following symptoms: - Occasional tremors in my fingers - Occasional insomnia - A consistent feeling of warmth inside my body despite a cooler external environment - Ongoing fatigue, with an intense need for sleep, particularly noticeable right after meals - Feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and a racing heart - An uncanny ability to lose weight rapidly, especially during times of illness or reduced food intake, despite eating large quantities usually with minimal gain - Dry patches on my skin While it’s possible that these sensations stem from factors like stress, overthinking, dietary inconsistencies, and other lifestyle choices, I still have a lingering suspicion that I might be suffering from hyperthyroidism. What are your thoughts on this?
Persistent Wrist Discomfort 18 Months After Surgery
I am a 21-year-old individual assigned female at birth (AFAB) and deal with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. Currently, I am not taking any medications, just a daily multivitamin. Eighteen months prior, I underwent a procedure to excise a ganglion cyst from my right wrist. Since then, I have been dealing with ongoing discomfort that was absent before the surgery and does not affect my left wrist. Every day, I experience a slight ache, which intensifies to about a 4 on the pain scale every few days. The discomfort is not located at the surgical site; rather, it affects the surrounding areas of my wrist and worsens with movement. The surgery itself was straightforward, and although there was a minor infection afterward, it resolved without intervention or the need for antibiotics. In the initial months post-surgery, I assumed that the pain was a natural part of my recovery. However, it seems unusual for this issue to persist for such an extended period. Is it typical to still have pain this long after an operation, or should I reach out to my healthcare provider for further advice?
Experiencing Dizziness and a Peculiar Static Sensation
As a 20-year-old female, my only form of medication is hormonal birth control. I stand at 5 feet 3 inches tall and weigh approximately 104 pounds (or around 47 kilograms). These troubling symptoms have been present since I was about 14. The primary concern arises roughly every two months: when I transition from sitting or lying down to a standing position, my limbs suddenly feel as if they are engulfed in static. This peculiar sensation travels to my head, and within moments, my legs give way, leaving me on the ground. During this time, I experience a brief loss of memory about the seconds leading up to my fall, rendering me unable to move or communicate for approximately 15 seconds. In the weeks between these events, I experience milder bouts of dizziness, where it often feels as if my hands are tinged with static. I have consulted with a cardiologist and underwent an EKG while in a seated position. He assured me that everything appeared normal, attributing my symptoms to typical teenage experiences and suggesting that I would eventually outgrow them. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. I've also noticed that these dizzy spells do not improve with increased food intake nor do they worsen when I haven't eaten. On a daily basis, I consume about 80 ounces of ice water and occasionally enjoy one or two Diet Pepsis.
Is Laparoscopic Surgery Linked to Adhesion Formation?
Approximately three years prior, I underwent laparoscopic surgery to excise a 6cm ovarian cyst. Since that procedure, I have experienced intermittent discomfort in my abdomen, particularly on the same side where the surgery took place. I consulted with a gastrointestinal specialist who advised me to alter my dietary habits and focus on weight loss. Although I followed her recommendations, the changes did not alleviate my symptoms. I have a growing concern that I might be dealing with adhesions, yet the GI doctor mentioned that adhesions are not detectable by feeling, and a nurse practitioner remarked that they cannot develop as a result of laparoscopic procedures. Is there validity to these claims?