Myringotomy: How long til the ear feels normal?

Hi Ryan. I had the same problem too and I’m 6 days post op as well. Have you noticed any changes? I feel like I’m going crazy. I can’t function.

I am a 74 year old male. I had tubes installed 3 days ago . Ever since then my hearing sounds like my head is in a coffee can also I have tinnitus. How long does it take for my hearing to return to normal ?

@chelmsford@sueinmn I had the exact same procedure (myringotomy without tube placement) in my left ear. I had allergies and my head was congested (I was taking Claritin-D for relief). I ended up flying cross country and during the descent my ears clogged up. Before this episode the ears would pop or clear up within 2 to 3 minutes. This was a Monday early morning. By Thursday the left ear still was clogged and went to my ENT. He stated I could do 3 things. (1) Do nothing (2) Prescribed antibiotics and steroids [he stated they don't really do anything] or (3) the myringotomy without tube placement, which I chose. It has been almost 3 weeks and no change, my ear is still the same. My ear did drain for about 4 days which is normal. I message my ENT on MyChart and told him my concerns, especially after I started doing the Valsalva maneuver after the procedure and wanted to know if this caused any damage to the eardrum. He answered the draining is normal but did not address my other concerns and has since not communicated with me after sending more messages asking for answers. I have another appointment with another ENT on April 10th and I hope I get relief and answers, I hate not being able to hear out the left ear.

@firespooks have any of your symptoms gotten better by now?

Anyone have any update on how they are doing? I had this done this morning and have yet to feel any relief

@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.

@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.

@sepdvm I am reviving this conversation because I saw an ENT yesterday for chronic ear symptoms such as popping/fullness and mild but recurrent ear aches. The ENT suggested Myringotomy, which i’ve learned is the process for puncturing the ear drum but not putting in tubes. It sounds like many people commented shortly after the process. I’m reluctant to get the procedure done after reading about risks and then reading comments here. Can anyone comment how this worked out in the long run?

I’m even more nervous about getting tubes in my ears after reading possible complications and the ENT suggested that the myringotomy would be a good test to see if tubes would relieve my symptoms. Now that I’m thinking about it, it would also mean I’d have 2 sets of holes in my ears so makes me wonder if doing a myringotomy as a test is a bad idea too.

I’d love to hear how others have made out after this procedure. Thanks,

Hello @kathyhg, and welcome. There are always complications but you have to weigh the risks with the potential benefit. My husband still has a tube in one ear from years ago. No longer gets painful earaches but occasionally does feel pressure in the ear with no tube. The current ENT does try to stay away from tubes and encourages decongestant and steroid nasal spray. Have you tried those? I wonder if you should look for a second opinion. Have you had any diagnostics done at all? In his experience a myringotomy tends to heal rather quickly but that is only one time when his ear pain was intense after flying. It provided immediate relief and had closed by itself in 6 months. How long have you been dealing with this condition?