PERFORATED EAR DRUM

I'M HAVIN PERFORATED EAR DRUM. IT HAPPENED 1 YR B4 N I DID Myringoplasty FOR AIDING REGENERATION FOR MEMBRANE. I LIKE SWIMMING AND DIVING N WANNA START IT AGAIN. BUT MY PROBLEM IS THAT WEN I USE EAR PLUG TO THAT EAR, I GET AN UNUSUAL SENSATION LIKE INCREASE IN PRESSURE ON MY EAR DRUM AND I TAKE OUT MY EAR PLUG IMMEDIATELY. THE DOCTOR SAYS USE EAR PLUG. BUT I CANT....PLEASE HELP ME

[OHNS2010]

Hi,

If your ear drum is repaired and it is one year post surgery, well you can go ahead with swimming but diving would risk the damage to the neo-tympanum. Your ear drum was perforated because of the defective ventilation in the middle ear cavity, reason attributed to eustachian tube problems. There are always some possibilities for the neo-tympanum to get damaged because of the difficulties in pressure equalization by the eustachian tube.

Opinions differ regarding wearing of the ear plugs. Wearing earplugs during diving can create an air pocket in the ear canal, preventing equalization and resulting in differences in the pressure between the water and a diver's ear canal. So, there are chances of the ear plug getting sucked closer to the eardrum and causing damage to it.

Some doctors do recommend an ear plug with a hole which helps in equalization. This site http://www.proplugs.com gives you some information regarding the ear plugs with a hole.

I feel diving can be avoided but can go ahead with swimming without the ear plugs.

Any doubts you are welcome.

Regards
OHNS2010