Myringotomy: How long til the ear feels normal?

Hello @cchelmsford - welcome to Mayo Connect. I hope we can help you find the answers you need.

I am not familiar with the procedure of myringotomy (putting a hole in the ear drum) without having tubes placed. Can you explain what led up to it?

Sue

Hi sue - just after Father’s Day I got a bad cold -fever -sore throat -headache- & ear infection— took Augmentin for 10 days went back & got it checked several times, and it was healing properly but the fluid in the middle ear stayed —-I waited it out 3 months and saw 3 ENTs for opinions —hoping it would go away on its own — but it didn’t so the ENT did this procedure- she said if this had been a chronic condition that I have been dealing with multiple times she would’ve put the tube in but since it was an isolated incident at the moment we would try this first —-she numbed it, made a tiny hole and sucked out the fluid — but since the second she did it - it feels solid blocked/pressure and ringing. I’m not sure it would feel any different if she had placed the tube as is the very same procedure without tube placement

Wow, that is interesting. I have spent many years with fluid in the ear, and had tubes a few times. I do have a lay person's opinion - the trauma of numbing & puncturing probably irritated your middle ear, leading to your symptoms. If you are accustomed to swallowing or or blocking your nose to clear your ears, neither will work with the hole there.
Have you called the ENT to report what happened?
Sue

Hi - yes I have contacted her and she is not concerned - but the procedure to put the tube in is exactly the same - they would still puncture the ear drum and drain the fluid and then put the tube in - so the trama would be the same - I was told I would feel slight improvement as soon as she did the procedure but still would be muffed - but in my case it just feels fully blocked and pressured that’s why I feel concerned

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.

@chelmsford, have you been to an ENT specialist? What has been tried so far?

Hi Colleen -
Yes I have been to an ENT I actually went to a few to get a second opinion they did a procedure called a Myringotomy Without tube placement because I had never had this issue before she wanted to try just poking a hole and sucking out the fluid. They told me that I would feel relief pretty much right away but we still have slightly muffled hearing. But since the second they did the procedure it’s fully blocked and ringing very loudly and I don’t know if that’s a common thing after that procedure she wasn’t concerned it’s been one week so far she’s going to see me when it’s been three weeks but I feel nervous and wanted to know if anybody had experienced this

Hey how long untill you felt normal? I had this done 6 days ago they told me it would be 2 days but I feel pressure and muffled hearing, I called ent they said it should start to feel normal soon, I'm starting to get concerned any info will help
thanks
Ryan

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

Yes I have had fullness in my ears for years and I went to ENT they offered to just do the incisions and see if that helped I couldn't tell a difference in the fullness when I left the Dr office and he said you will start to hear better in a few days, we'll it's been 6 and I have pressure and fullness, I called they said I'm one of the few that it's taking longer to heal, I'm really getting anxious because I can't function, please any advice will help