Myringotomy: How long til the ear feels normal?

Posted by chelmsford @chelmsford, Sep 20, 2022

Hi!! New to the group and wondering if anyone has had this procedure (no tube)
I had it done 5 days ago and my ear feels more blocked / and pressure then before - and ringing - anyone experience this? And if so how long til the ear feels normal

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Profile picture for vegas23 @vegas23

Hi, did the doctors ever figure out after the grommet was installed in lower eardrum why like me 3 months after myringotomy procedure my ear is blocked, lots of pressure, no fluid nor infection and tinnitus? I can’t live like this it’s excruciating

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Hi, I'm not the person you were responding to, but let me tall you my experience - I had several myringotomies. After the first one, one tube fell our without my knowledge and the hole closed. As you described the result is painful.
Another time, thick fluid clogged the tube. It was a long time ago, so I don't remember if he put one in with a bigger hole, or use a syringe to clear the ear.
Sue

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I had a mysongotomy on August 13. Today is September 4th. I still do not seem to have relief. Do I need to wait longer to have the relief I want

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Profile picture for davidsmith76 @davidsmith76

I had a mysongotomy on August 13. Today is September 4th. I still do not seem to have relief. Do I need to wait longer to have the relief I want

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In my experience (long, long ago) you should be feeling some relief by now. What were the symptoms that led to the myringotomy?

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Profile picture for chelmsford @chelmsford

Hi -
Is anyone here dealing with Fluid trapped in the middle ear? I am dealing with it now and seem to be having difficulty finding a solution.

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How long will it take to get that fluid out of the ear?

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Profile picture for davidsmith76 @davidsmith76

How long will it take to get that fluid out of the ear?

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It should be gradually leaking out or drying up. If no change call the ENT

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Hello Ryan, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I had this done a couple of times, and the results varied. May I ask you a few questions?
What led to the procedure, and do you already have either tinnitus or a hearing loss? Did they place tubes in your ears during the procedure or just open the ear drum? Was there any drainage from the ears, either during or after the procedure?

I know that's a lot of questions, but it can help figure out what the next step ought to be.
Sue

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I just had it done 2 days ago. Both drain and tube. This makes 8 for me. This is the first time i don't hear clearly. Sounds are muffled. But i also have a sinus issue too so that could be why. Hope you feel better soon which i think you will. Happy Easter.

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I'm also looking for answers on a similar situation.

Since relocating to a state with a different climate, I've had on and off issues with a plugged right ear. My first occurrence - in late 2024 - went away after a started using Aller-Flo/Flonase daily. However, I got a sinus infection in February and, shortly after most of the normal symptoms subsided, I started to notice some minor clogging of my right ear and the inability to properly pressurize.

The clogging isn't severe and the hearing loss is minor. I went to see my ENT and they recommended the myringotomy as a temporary solution to equalize the pressure but admitted it's probably not a permanent solution if I have Eustachian tube disfunction. My online reading led me to this discussion and has somewhat discouraged me from doing it. I also ruptured my ear drum as a kid and required surgery to repair it (myringoplasty), so I'm nervous to intentionally cut my ear drum.

I have a few more ENT appointments set up for the next 6-9 months for additional opinions but I was wondering if anyone here has any guidance. Did any find any solutions for themselves?

Also, with a condition like a clogged ear, is it dangerous to fly?

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Profile picture for auros @auros

I'm also looking for answers on a similar situation.

Since relocating to a state with a different climate, I've had on and off issues with a plugged right ear. My first occurrence - in late 2024 - went away after a started using Aller-Flo/Flonase daily. However, I got a sinus infection in February and, shortly after most of the normal symptoms subsided, I started to notice some minor clogging of my right ear and the inability to properly pressurize.

The clogging isn't severe and the hearing loss is minor. I went to see my ENT and they recommended the myringotomy as a temporary solution to equalize the pressure but admitted it's probably not a permanent solution if I have Eustachian tube disfunction. My online reading led me to this discussion and has somewhat discouraged me from doing it. I also ruptured my ear drum as a kid and required surgery to repair it (myringoplasty), so I'm nervous to intentionally cut my ear drum.

I have a few more ENT appointments set up for the next 6-9 months for additional opinions but I was wondering if anyone here has any guidance. Did any find any solutions for themselves?

Also, with a condition like a clogged ear, is it dangerous to fly?

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@auros, my husband has had chronic issues with one ear plugging. One ENT placed tubes, another wanted to avoid tubes and treated with Flonase and decongestant spray. That has seemed to be the best solution for him so likely allergy related. They recommend to him to use the spray decongestant ( like Afrin) starting 24 hours before a flight, as well as his Flonase. He pretty much uses Flonase PRN nowadays. Oral antihistamines and Mucinex have also been recommended but don't seem to provide the same relief. He has had this for years.

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Profile picture for auros @auros

I'm also looking for answers on a similar situation.

Since relocating to a state with a different climate, I've had on and off issues with a plugged right ear. My first occurrence - in late 2024 - went away after a started using Aller-Flo/Flonase daily. However, I got a sinus infection in February and, shortly after most of the normal symptoms subsided, I started to notice some minor clogging of my right ear and the inability to properly pressurize.

The clogging isn't severe and the hearing loss is minor. I went to see my ENT and they recommended the myringotomy as a temporary solution to equalize the pressure but admitted it's probably not a permanent solution if I have Eustachian tube disfunction. My online reading led me to this discussion and has somewhat discouraged me from doing it. I also ruptured my ear drum as a kid and required surgery to repair it (myringoplasty), so I'm nervous to intentionally cut my ear drum.

I have a few more ENT appointments set up for the next 6-9 months for additional opinions but I was wondering if anyone here has any guidance. Did any find any solutions for themselves?

Also, with a condition like a clogged ear, is it dangerous to fly?

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I have had 8. Just had one on the 18th. I get fluid behind the ear drum and it has to be drained or it gets stagnant and then infected. The ENT numbs the ear drum first and makes a tiny hole in the ear drum and drains the fluid and then puts a tube in. I have never had a problem with it. I take a Valium a half hr before the procedure. I also go like once a yr to have my ears vacuumed out and they feel so good afterward.

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Did you ever get relief? I just had this done now I have loud ringing in one ear :/ Plugged feeling better

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