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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Someone Stay Healthy With A Hole In Eardrum?

my sons eardrum was busted from a waterballoon game and had a tympanoplasty done in aug. the hole is now bigger and the dr. said his hearing is worse,but not too bad,my son is 12 and does not want to do another surgury,but we live in s. texas and want to swim again and do kid stuff.any other options.... the surgury was traumatic and painful for him,can someone stay healthy with a hole in eardrum,he uses cottonballs in shower and would like to get earplugs to swim in,is that safe...thanks so much for your time
Mon, 16 Apr 2012
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Dear anavarro I am Dr Sharma ENT surgeon. On the basis of info provided it appears that your son was operated for hole in drum
Yes he can stay healthy with a ole indrum but he has to be careful with few things - Avoid water entry in the ear and regular follow up with ENT surgeon. But then these cases have a gradually progressive increase in hearing loss because of reinfections of ear off and on
One can manage with one functional ear with some limitations. He should be more careful about his functional ear too and attend ENT doctoe if he have sinuses or nose or throat problem and avoid use of ototoxic drugs in any situation, avoid excessive noise exposure espacially loud sounds

If you ask my opinion I would advise you to go for a revision surgery at a good ENT center --- I know the results are about 70 to 80 percent in revision surgery but it is always better to take a chance.I hope this answers your concern with regards Ravinder Sharma
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  Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's  Response

i have had problems with my ears since i was little.

i had multiple infections.

and i have had tubes in my ears twice.

about 3 years ago i found out i had a hole in my ear drum, i ened up having surgery.

they grafted skin.

after the surgery everything was good.

i couldn't tell an improvement in hearing though.

last year i found out that i had 2 holes in my ear drum.

water does not bother it, expect when i swim because of the chemicals in the water.

my hearing is worse than it was before, but not to much.

the doctors say i do not need surgery because it really is not affecting anything.

if your having problems i think ear plugs are a safe alternative in stead of surgery.
  Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's  Response

No either it has to close or should be operated and closed.
  User's Response
Dr. Sumit Bhatti's  Response

The middle ear beyond the eardrum is always wet from the normal secretions which drain via the eustachian tube into the nose. As long as there is a perforation in his eardrum, his ear will never be completely dry leading to frequent ear infections. With every ear infection, however mild, there is a risk of toxins diffusing into the inner ear and further destroying his hearing capacity. Any moisture or water entering the ear increases the chance of developing an ear infection. If he does not get operated for eardrum repair, swimming regularly is out of the question.
  Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's  Response
since you have hole in your eardrum, so its noisy right how do you help yourself to sleep...
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
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Can Someone Stay Healthy With A Hole In Eardrum?

Dear anavarro I am Dr Sharma ENT surgeon. On the basis of info provided it appears that your son was operated for hole in drum Yes he can stay healthy with a ole indrum but he has to be careful with few things - Avoid water entry in the ear and regular follow up with ENT surgeon. But then these cases have a gradually progressive increase in hearing loss because of reinfections of ear off and on One can manage with one functional ear with some limitations. He should be more careful about his functional ear too and attend ENT doctoe if he have sinuses or nose or throat problem and avoid use of ototoxic drugs in any situation, avoid excessive noise exposure espacially loud sounds If you ask my opinion I would advise you to go for a revision surgery at a good ENT center --- I know the results are about 70 to 80 percent in revision surgery but it is always better to take a chance.I hope this answers your concern with regards Ravinder Sharma