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Perforated eardrum surgery

(14 Posts)
Sillymoo Wed 04-Mar-26 07:52:26

I have an appointment next week at ENT about my eardrum and possibly surgery.

I'm asking if anyone here has had their eardrum repaired? How was it? Has it improved your hearing.

The main reason for repair is to stop infections but any surgery has risks. I'm hoping to hear the pros and cons from the hospital and gransnetters!

Sparklefizz Wed 04-Mar-26 08:02:15

When Shingles perforated my eardrum, my GP advised keeping my ear dry, to protect it in the shower so that no water went inside, and re-examined me 2 months later. By this time it was healing up by itself. I had no infections.

Aveline Wed 04-Mar-26 08:16:21

Both my eardrums have burst in the past. They've both healed up fine.

Mimiboo Wed 04-Mar-26 08:39:59

My eardrum was perforated by our family GP when I was a youing child.
Over the last several years I've had repeat infections & horrible runny ear. 18 months ago I had surgery to try to repair the large hole.
I would definitely recommend having it done, I was extremely worried (never been in hospital before) but it was fine. It was sore for maybe a week but I'm so pleased I had it done. No more infections or stinky runny ear.
Ive not had any improvement in my hearing unfortunately but the surgeon did warn me that might happen. It was 100% worth having it done.

Sillymoo Wed 04-Mar-26 17:39:50

Unfortunately mine won't heal.
Thank you Mimiboo I will see how I get on next week.

Mary59nana Wed 04-Mar-26 21:16:41

Both my eardrums burst and I had constant infections and runny ears my hearing wasn't good but I was advised to have the operation.
That was done in 2018
8 yrs on hearing has got worse but I am managing well with digital hearing aids and no infection.
Im glad I had the operation

sankev Thu 05-Mar-26 14:46:46

As a lifelong sufferer of ear infections and perforated ear drums both sides I feel for you. I’m currently 18 months in to the latest infection in my right ear. Two weekly cleaning by ent consultant and many antibiotics have failed to help. Last week I saw a new consultant as my old one left and he was shocked! Seems I have a condition called colesteatoma meaning I actually have a growth behind my ear drum. Consequently I should have had an operation long ago to sort it! Not looking forward to this operation either and it’s unlikely to improve my hearing as lifelong problems have left them beyond repair unfortunately. Fortunately I have a Bone Anchored hearing aid because otherwise I would be very poor hearing! Sorry I can’t yet advise on the operation you may have to have sillymoo but I wish you well. But 🤞perhaps you might find the specialist has alternative less invasive options for you. Good luck with your appointment.

cookiemonster66 Thu 05-Mar-26 15:36:33

yes I had myringoplasty surgery a few yrs ago after so many ear surgeries, grommets in and out, over the yrs, it was quite straight forward the only hassle was they used a skin graft from my head, and got from behind my ear but in the hair just where my glasses go, so had to be shaved about inch square, but it struggled to heal because my glasses were rubbing it daily, but the ear itself was no bother, have to stay away from people with colds, not allowed to sneeze for a while so if you have hay fever take some piriton!

Harris27 Thu 05-Mar-26 16:28:31

I thought I’d reply to this as I am still in your position, here goes, I went for an appointment for this over three year ago and was offered the same surgery and out on the list. I work with children and couldn’t hear what they were saying. Time went by and after 12 months waiting was offered the surgery then the op got cancelled no reason offered. In the meantime I was offered a hearing aid which helped enormously with my hearing and my job. Time went by and the list must of got longer. I spoke to my consultant who couldn’t guarantee me my hearing back so I’m still wearing the hearing aid and making do. For me I didn’t have pain but sometimes an ear infection now and again but unless I was guaranteed the hearing back to some extent I wasn’t going ahead. I wish you luck and a speedy timeline to getting the op.

Musicgirl Thu 05-Mar-26 16:44:03

I have had a lifetime of ear infections and two mastoidectomies. Sankev, a cholesteatoma is a non-cancerous but potentially dangerous growth in the middle ear and will probably require a mastoidectomy. My first mastoidectomy was performed when I was ten and the whole middle ear, including eardrum was removed. Although this made a big difference, it did not completely stop the ear infections and, in 2010, l had my second mastoidectomy, which involved replacing the middle ear bones with plastic and rebuilding my eardrum via a skin graft. I am guessing that the second part of the procedure l had, the skin grafted eardrum, is what is being planned for you. It is worth it and a relatively quick procedure compared with the rest of the operation l had. I hope all will go well.

sankev Thu 05-Mar-26 20:25:28

Cookiemonster and musicgirl thank you both for your information. It’s nice to hear from people who have been through this. It seems I should have had this operation many years ago and my new consultant didn’t understand why I hadn’t. I also had many operations as a youngster for grommets. 🤞I get some sort of relief soon.

MandL Thu 05-Mar-26 21:05:11

I also had a cholesteatoma requiring surgery about 15 years ago. Up until now it has been reasonably stable as long as I avoid things like swimming. Unfortunately over the past month I have had bilateral infections and both eardrums have perforated. I am now wondering if I will require surgery for them to be repaired, or, worst case scenario end up with a cholesteatoma again. Time will tell.

sankev Sat 07-Mar-26 12:01:22

Why is my Camelia bush doing this? I have a beautiful healthy camellia plant in my garden. Every year we get lots of beautiful flowers 🌺. This year it’s got lots of buds and some flowers already blooming! The problem is the flowers are all inside the bush? So you have to actually move the leaves back to see them properly! It’s my first year of gardening on my own as my beloved husband passed away in October. He was usually the main gardener as he loved being outside. Not really sure what I’ve done wrong?Any advice or suggestions definitely welcome, and if anyone knows of a simple gardening book they could recommend? It’s only a fairly small garden but definitely looking neglected 😒

sankev Sat 07-Mar-26 12:03:27

Sorry just realised I’ve added this to a health post so I’m going to repost it in the correct place!!!