Could my eardrum be damaged?
I’m a 34-year-old female with no significant medical history. Yesterday, I experienced a sensation of fullness in my left ear, which also affected my hearing. In an attempt to alleviate the discomfort, I applied hydrogen peroxide the previous night. However, this led to an increase in pain intensity. From approximately 10 PM until 2:30 AM, the pain became unbearable. I tried taking Tylenol and ibuprofen, but they didn’t seem to provide any relief. I continued to experience sharp, painful popping sounds. This morning, while the discomfort has lessened significantly, I still feel some pain and a noticeable reduction in hearing in that ear. I captured some images with an otoscope that I will share in the comments. Should I seek treatment at urgent care?
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 4:00:53 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing significant discomfort and concern regarding your ear, particularly with symptoms like fullness, pain, and reduced hearing. Your symptoms may suggest issues such as earwax buildup, middle ear infection, or, in some cases, eardrum damage, especially given the increased pain after applying hydrogen peroxide.
Explanation:
When you apply substances into the ear canal, it can sometimes lead to irritation or complications, particularly if there’s a pre-existing issue. The sensation of fullness and popping sounds could indicate fluid or pressure changes in the ear. If the eardrum is damaged, you might experience sharp pain, hearing loss, or fluid drainage. Your worsening pain despite taking over-the-counter pain relievers is concerning.
Next Steps:
-
Avoid Further Irritation: Do not put any more substances (like hydrogen peroxide) in your ear. This could worsen the irritation or damage if there is a perforation.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms. If you notice any of the following, seek care promptly:
- Severe or worsening pain.
- Fever or chills.
- Drainage of fluid or pus from the ear.
- Persistent inability to hear or significant loss of hearing.
-
Consider an Urgent Care Visit: Given your description of sharp pain, popping sounds, and reduced hearing, it would be advisable to visit an urgent care or an ENT specialist. They can perform a thorough examination, possibly using tools to look inside your ear and determine if there is damage to the eardrum or another issue that needs addressing.
-
Use Pain Management Wisely: While you mentioned that Tylenol and ibuprofen didn't help much, consider alternating between them, following the recommended dosing guidelines, until you can get further evaluation.
Remember, while this situation can be concerning, seeking timely care can help alleviate your symptoms and address any underlying issues. Please take care and feel free to ask if you have more questions!
Related Questions
Understanding My Father-in-Law's Condition
My father-in-law is a 76-year-old man, standing at 5’9” and weighing 150 pounds, identifying as Caucasian. He does not smoke, and his alcohol consumption is limited to a glass of wine five times a year. Historically, he has been diagnosed with kidney disease and is currently prescribed statins and beta blockers to manage heart blockage; however, I’m not entirely clear on his complete medical history. He is employed full-time at a retail store and generally appears to be alert and mobile. Overall, he seemed to be in good health until recently. I began seeking information about the process of intubation because my father-in-law visited the emergency room for atrial fibrillation (afib) 16 days ago, leading to a series of alarming developments. Initially, he experienced unexplained back pain, for which he was administered a painkiller that unfortunately made him vomit and subsequently lose consciousness. The following day, doctors diagnosed him with mild pneumonia. During his evaluation, it was discovered that he is in the fifth stage of kidney disease, and he has been fluctuating in and out of afib. His oxygen levels plummeted to 80%, prompting the medical team to place him on Bipap. Due to his inability to eat and lack of improvement, intubation was deemed necessary, which lasted for five days. He was taken off the ventilator three days ago and has since been breathing independently, though he requires supplemental oxygen. However, his white blood cell (WBC) count has been alarmingly high, fluctuating between 25,000 and 50,000, accompanied by occasional fevers reaching 101 degrees. At this point, he remains largely unresponsive, and the medical team is conducting dialysis every other day. I have concerns about his use of Bipap, particularly since my research has suggested it may not be advisable for patients with pneumonia. Is he experiencing sepsis? There's uncertainty regarding whether he is receiving steroids. While he is on a broad-spectrum antibiotic, there is speculation around a potential infection in his IV line, though no definitive answers have surfaced. We are left in the dark about the source of the elevated WBC count. Any insights or guidance on this situation would be immensely valuable.
Day 3 of Urethral Bleeding Experience
Age: 25 years Height: 5’3” Weight: 95 lbs. After a frustrating visit to the emergency room that didn’t bring any answers, I've decided to seek advice through this platform—feels like I have no other choice! Two days ago, I noticed a peculiar odor in my urine upon waking up and instinctively thought it was a urinary tract infection (UTI). I made it a priority to hydrate significantly that day, and though I felt no pain, I began to notice small drops of blood in my urine, a familiar symptom from previous UTIs that didn’t alarm me too much. However, the following morning, things escalated as the bleeding intensified; it almost felt like I was on my menstrual cycle, but it was, of course, coming from my urethra. Even then, there was an absence of discomfort. I managed to work throughout the day, but my unease grew as the bleeding persisted. After returning home, I decided to take a pregnancy test, which turned out negative. I later went back to the ER where they conducted a urinalysis that showed no signs of infection. An ultrasound followed, confirming everything looked normal, and they suggested I consult a urologist if the situation doesn’t improve. Interestingly, the test also confirmed I wasn’t pregnant, though it’s possible it could have been too early. On this third day, I awoke again to urine that has a somewhat unpleasant smell, sticking to my hydration routine and taking it easy. Unfortunately, the heavy bleeding continues without any associated pain. I have some photos that might be helpful for anyone with expertise in this area. I’m quite anxious about the whole scenario, so any guidance or insights would be tremendously appreciated! For context, I’ve been sexually active with my partner, I don’t smoke, and I drink alcohol only occasionally.
Knee Concerns After Squatting
Last year, while performing a squat, I experienced a noticeable cracking sound coming from my knee. This prompted a visit to the emergency room due to the discomfort I was feeling. Following an examination, the medical staff diagnosed me with a meniscus tear and placed my leg in a cast for a week to aid recovery. Recently, after a long hiatus from squatting, I decided to attempt it again, only to hear that same cracking noise once more. Although there’s a hint of pain and I find it difficult to remain on my feet for extended periods, fortunately, my kneecap appears to be functioning better than it was during my previous injury. I'm left wondering if this discomfort is merely a psychological response tied to my past experience, or if there is a genuine issue occurring with my knee this time around. Here are some details about me: - Gender: Female - Age: 18 - Weight: 50 kg (110 pounds) - Height: 176 cm (5'9") - Smoking: I vape Current medications include: Propranolol, Euthyrox, Zoloft, and Olanzapine, along with some vitamins, which I believe have positively influenced my health.
Understanding Subdural Hematoma in the Elderly
My father, at the age of 78, generally enjoys good health, with his only prescription being for blood pressure management. On December 22, 2025, he underwent surgery to remove a Grade 2 meningioma. Remarkably, he discharged from the hospital less than a day later and initially felt fantastic. However, by December 30, he began experiencing severe headaches, slurred speech, and cognitive confusion, leading to a diagnosis of a 1 cm subdural hematoma. As of now, most of his symptoms have improved, though he still experiences occasional confusion and fatigue. He has been advised to limit his physical activities. Since the diagnosis, he has undergone CT scans biweekly, with the results showing no significant changes. The most recent CT scan impressions indicate that there is no notable difference in the approximately 1 cm thick subdural fluid accumulation in the frontoparietal region when compared to the MRI dated January 13, 2026. The examination noted mild compression of the brain's sulci and a slight midline shift, but overall, the brain appeared normal, and the ventricles were within normal size limits. Concerns linger regarding his potential for full recovery, as I am uncertain if this condition could be permanent. The neurosurgeon’s approach leaves much to be desired—when we seek clarification, he tends to brush us off without providing satisfactory answers. I am now contemplating the long-term care needs and what adjustments may be necessary for the future.
Understanding Phleboliths: What You Should Know
As a man in my late 30s, I’ve generally enjoyed good health without any significant concerns. However, following a recent CT scan, I was relieved to receive a report confirming that everything appeared normal. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to obtain the images from the scan for a closer look. To my surprise, I spotted small white dots in the pelvic region, which I later discovered were identified as phleboliths. This raises a question in my mind: why weren't these mentioned in my report? Are they considered harmless? Currently, I’ve been experiencing a feeling of tightness and dull pressure around my navel. Medical professionals have suggested that I am exhibiting symptoms of abdominal muscle guarding, which I can recognize in myself. I'm left wondering if these phleboliths have any connection to my discomfort or if they are simply benign findings unrelated to my symptoms.