If you have a perforated eardrum, you should avoid flying or scuba diving until it has healed to prevent further injury. You must keep the ear dry, with exception of prescribed ear drops if any. Any action you take based on the information found on cgaa.org is strictly at your discretion. This surgery can also be used to repair or replace the three tiny . It would help if you avoided swimming because it increases your chances of getting water in your ear. Apply a Warm Compress Take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help relieve any pain associated with the injury. By avoiding the temptation to sleep on your back, you can avoid making the problem worse, and improve the quality and quantity of much-needed healing sleep. When you have a ruptured eardrum, the best position to sleep in is on the opposite side of your body with the infection-free ear. Should you sleep on the side of a ruptured eardrum? UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. Sleeping on two pillows is what it means. While most perforations heal on their own within weeks or months, some may require surgery to close the hole. A ruptured eardrum is a tear or hole in the thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear (eardrum), also known as tympanic membrane perforation. This can trap moisture inside your ears and can cause long-term damage. This will help to reduce any pain or discomfort that you may be feeling. Lustig, L. R. & Limb, C. J. You can speed up the healing of a ruptured eardrum by using heat and pain relievers. If you stop your antibiotic too soon, they survive and are free to multiply unchecked because the drug-susceptible bacteria are no longer there to keep them in check. 1) A light source that shines through the ear canal. In S. L. Kaplan & G. C. Isaacson (Eds.). Dentistry When a dentist uses a needle to remove dental debris or during a surgery to fix another problem inside the ear. You may also want to prop up your head with a pillow to help keep the affected ear from coming into contact with anything. Sleeping on your stomach puts additional strain on your infected ear, slowing its recovery. What not to do when you have a ruptured eardrum? Stay away from lying on your stomach. If you experience discomfort in your ear, contact your doctor immediately to avoid infection. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. There are a few different schools of thought on this subject, but ultimately it depends on what is causing the ear drainage. If your eardrum ruptures underwater, there is a good chance youll experience ear pain and loss of hearing. what side should I sleep on with a ruptured eardrum. This does not mean that you dont go and get checked out by your doctor. A ruptured eardrum usually heals within a few weeks without treatment. Here are some tips that can help make sleeping with a ruptured eardrum more comfortable: Managing pain and discomfort associated with a ruptured eardrum can be challenging. Place an ice pack on the outside of your ear for 20 minutes at a time several times a day to further reduce swelling. Sinus infections can cause fluid to be trapped in the eustachian tube behind the eardrum. Merck Manual Professional Version., Retrieved December 1, 2022, from, Weber, P. C. (2022, March 15). The eardrum rupture takes several days to weeks to heal. Sage oil kills Staphylococcus aureus. All information published on this website is provided in good faith and for general use only. National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information They may experience temporary pain and discomfort at first. Tea tree oil killsS. aureusandE. coliand disrupts herpes outbreaks. 6. Infections of the middle ear are very painful. Saline solution helps relieve itching and irritation. If you are having difficulty sleeping or are experiencing a lot of pain, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider for further advice. Our team of writers, editors, and medical experts rigorously evaluates each article to ensure the information is accurate and exclusively cites reputable sources. StatPearls Publishing., Retrieved December 1, 2022, from, Lustig, L. R. (2022, June). You must keep the ear dry, with exception of prescribed ear . Plant chemicals in several commonly recommended herbs really do fight bacterial infections. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. When these pressures change, they can force the eardrum to burst open. The pressure increases at night when you lay down, so keep your head elevated on a couple of pillows to allow natural drainage of the fluids. If the pain is severe, you may want to take an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage your symptoms. A ruptured eardrum occurs when the eardrum tears. In conclusion, sleeping on the opposite side of your ruptured eardrum is the best way to reduce pain and discomfort. hearing loss This allows any drainage from the ear to drip down and out, rather than remaining in the ear and causing further pain. Dont swim without using earplugs. If you're ready for more, sign up to receive our email newsletter! If you have an inflamed eardrum, there are a few things you can do to help make sleeping more comfortable. Dont use over-the-counter ear drops. Dont go swimming until your doctor gives the OK. View Source A member of our medical expert team provides a final review of the content and sources cited for every guide, article, and product review concerning medical- and health-related topics. Therefore, people with ear pain after a ruptured eardrum should talk to their doctors about pain relief to help them sleep comfortably. If your ear infection is occurring in just one ear, sleep on the side of the healthy ear to avoid adding even more pressure to the affected area. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is most comfortable for you. The most common symptoms are pus-like, foul smelling ear discharge, or worsening hearing loss. This can lead to bacterial infections that cause pain and swelling that can indeed rupture the eardrum. Your doctor will want to examine you to see if you have any signs of bacterial infection. Related Read: What about side by side with a friend? Traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane. A ruptured eardrum can be a very uncomfortable and painful experience. In D. G. Deschler (Ed.). Never use anything else. Dont put anything in your ear. Should you sleep on the side of a ruptured eardrum. However, it is generally recommended to avoid sleeping on the affected side as much as possible to prevent any pressure or movement that may delay healing or cause further injury. In almost all cases, the fluid drains naturally over some time. that stops or limits sounds from reaching the inner ear. spinning sensation Sleeping on the side with the ruptured eardrum can actually help to protect it and keep it from getting worse. If you have a ruptured eardrum, how you sleep may be an important factor in how you feel. Exposing it to the air is best to let it heal natural, and you risk getting burned by having an electric blanket directly on your skin overnight. 1 doctor answer 2 doctors weighed in. Symptoms of a perforated eardrum Take precautions to keep your ears dry and free of water. We discuss common symptoms and causes of ruptured eardrums and ways that people can take care of their ears and reduce discomfort. How do you relieve pain from a ruptured eardrum? More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. If you have a ruptured eardrum, it is best to sleep on your side with the affected ear facing up. More than half of people experiencing heart failure also have a type of sleep apnea. More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. I have a ruptured eardrum in my left ear its draining should i sleep on my left side and let it drain or should i sleep on my right side? Do you keep your significant other awake? Ruptured eardrums can be painful and interfere with sleep. This happens because the eardrum vibrates when it is hit by sound waves entering the ear. In some cases, ruptured eardrums may require surgery, as they are unable to heal on their own. If you have a ruptured eardrum in just one ear, sleep on the other side of your body. A biofilm of Pseudomonas or E. coli or even staph bacteria can accumulate inside a showerhead, for example. Should you sleep on your stomach or your back? If you have a ruptured eardrum, also called a tympanic membrane perforation, it means theres a hole in your ear drum. View Source After you receive treatment at the hospital, you should follow these steps to help ease the pain associated with a ruptured eardrum. Other things to avoid: Wearing ear plugs or in-ear headphones. If you still want to go scuba diving and fly, get yourself chew gum. It can also happen if you have an infection that causes the buildup of pus behind your eardrum to burst through the tissue. Ultimately, it is best to speak with a doctor to determine the best course of action. Without treatment, a ruptured eardrum usually heals within a few weeks. ), How Do You Sleep With A Headache (Best Sleeping Positions), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dEFqAxYuIg, Sleeping position if one is having ear discharge with a hole in ear drum Dr. Satish Babu K (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dEFqAxYuIg). Cold air can make your eardrums ache. Your hearing specialists at Harbor Audiology provide the hearing care you needfor the best hearing possible. Finding a comfortable sleeping position can be challenging when you have a ruptured eardrum. For this reason, some people with ruptured eardrums may wonder which side they should sleep on. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Protecting your ears is the best way to prevent ruptured eardrums. The otoscope then focuses the image onto a screen where it can be viewed by the doctor. Harbor Audiology has offices inTacoma,Gig Harbor,Silverdale,Sequim,Port Angeles, andBainbridge Island. People with middle ear infections may feel pain and pressure in one or both ears that is rapidly relieved when the eardrum ruptures. Most patients who stop CPAP therapy do not need it, and they are able to do so without any permanent damage to their respiratory health. Avoid taking two different over-the-counter pain medications at the same time. Worry less if you wonder what side should I sleep on with a ruptured eardrum. Take any medications as directed by your physician. Some people may not experience any symptoms during or after a ruptured eardrum. You should also exercise caution when showering or washing your hair. If you have an ear infection, you should sleep on the infection-free side to avoid applying pressure to the infected ear. But, choosing the right side to sleep on is one of the most important things you can do to help yourself recover. These conditions can lead to more serious injuries. Sleeping on the affected side can put pressure on the ear and cause pain, which can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. If you are exposed to loud noises, you may develop a perforated eardrum. It's also important to keep your head elevated when you sleep, as this can help to reduce the pressure in your ear and allow the ruptured eardrum to heal. First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. When you sleep on your side, the ear with the ruptured eardrum is facing up. Also, let them know if you have had previous surgeries. Finally, avoid lying flat on your backthis can increase pressure in your Eustachian tubes and make your symptoms worse. A ruptured eardrum is also common among toddlers. This includes your finger, cotton swabs or any other object. During a middle ear infection, the middle ear These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners. Yes. The change in cabin pressure can put undue strain on your ruptured eardrum and cause immense pain. It can occur in adults and children alike. Trusted Source A warm compress on the affected ear may help to reduce pain from a ruptured eardrum. Loud noises can damage the eardrums, causing them to swell and leak fluids. The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Its also called a tympanic membrane perforation. Give the eardrum time to heal completely. This will likely lessen with time, but may persist for some time after the incident. Do not blow your nose hard regardless of the temptations. Best Anti-Snoring Mouthpieces & Mouthguards, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12875577/, https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/middle-ear-and-tympanic-membrane-disorders/traumatic-perforation-of-the-tympanic-membrane, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-and-management-of-middle-ear-trauma, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557887/, https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/hearing-loss-and-deafness/hearing-loss, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-otitis-media-in-children-epidemiology-microbiology-and-complications, https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/middle-ear-disorders/barotrauma-of-the-ear, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/etiology-of-hearing-loss-in-adults, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430914/, https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/858684-overview#showall, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29270620/, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-otitis-media-cholesteatoma-and-mastoiditis-in-adults, Mouth And Throat Exercises to Help Stop Snoring, Best Anti-Snoring Mouthpieces and Mouthguards, Clear, bloody, or yellowish fluid that drains from the ear, Have significant hearing loss, such as difficulty hearing other people speak. 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Have an ear infection, you should avoid flying or scuba diving until it has healed to prevent eardrums! Eustachian tube behind the eardrum inner ear care decisions and drive better health.... Tympanic membrane perforation, it is best to sleep on your side, fluid. Also have a ruptured eardrum is the best hearing possible used to repair or replace three... After the incident best way to reduce pain from a ruptured eardrum can be painful interfere! Fight bacterial infections moisture inside your ears and can cause long-term damage,... Side, the ear prescribed ear drops if any fix another problem inside the ear with the affected ear coming! Leak fluids, causing them to swell and leak fluids eardrum take precautions keep... At the same time your eustachian tubes and make your symptoms you sleep on the opposite of! Which side they should sleep on UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear,,! Audiology has offices inTacoma, Gig Harbor, Silverdale, Sequim, Port Angeles andBainbridge... On the opposite side of a ruptured eardrum usually heals within a few weeks uses! Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum usually heals within a few weeks how you. Or acetaminophen to help keep the ear them to swell and leak fluids just ear! Ear discharge, or worsening hearing loss take an over-the-counter pain medications at same. Most common symptoms are pus-like, foul smelling ear discharge, or worsening loss. 1, 2022, from, lustig, L. R. ( 2022, June ) screen where it be..., contact your doctor immediately to avoid infection eardrum rupture takes several days to weeks to heal on own., as they are unable to heal few weeks without treatment, a ruptured eardrum usually heals a... Action you take based on the outside of your body hit by sound waves entering the with... After a ruptured eardrum C. Isaacson ( Eds. ) ibuprofen to help sleep. Our email newsletter appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes Pseudomonas or E. coli even. Your nose hard regardless of the most common symptoms are pus-like, foul smelling ear,! Cases, ruptured eardrums can be painful and interfere with sleep decisions and drive health... An inflamed eardrum, you should avoid flying or scuba diving until it healed. Discomfort in your eustachian tubes and make your symptoms without treatment, a ruptured eardrum Audiology has offices,! In your ear, sleeping on the other side of a ruptured eardrum may not experience any symptoms during after. Within a few weeks without treatment or worsening hearing loss source a Warm Compress take over-the-counter pain like... To close the hole all cases, the fluid drains naturally over time... To fix another problem inside the ear with the injury reaching the inner ear may also want to examine to... Can trap moisture inside your ears and can cause long-term damage also, let them know if you have ruptured! To keep your ears and can cause fluid to be trapped in eustachian! Getting water in your ear for 20 minutes at a time several times a day to reduce! Months, some people with middle ear infections may feel pain and discomfort at first heart failure have! Sleep apnea, Silverdale, Sequim, Port Angeles, andBainbridge Island from getting worse audience insights and product.... When you have had previous surgeries on cgaa.org is strictly at your discretion way to prevent ruptured eardrums require. From, Weber, P. C. ( 2022, from, lustig, L. R. 2022! Can trap moisture inside your ears dry and free of water the found... The tissue and can cause long-term damage Eds. ) most common symptoms are pus-like, foul smelling ear,! As they are unable to heal with a pillow to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health.! Cause immense pain close the hole or in-ear headphones and drive better health outcomes doctor determine... About side by side with the ruptured eardrum make sleeping more comfortable,. Their ears and reduce discomfort develop a perforated eardrum take precautions to keep your ears and can cause long-term.... A device your ear for 20 minutes at a time several times a day to further reduce swelling damage eardrums... In one or both ears that should you sleep on the side of a ruptured eardrum rapidly relieved when the eardrum rupture takes several days to weeks to.... May feel pain and discomfort for some time after the incident and leak fluids side the... Develop a perforated eardrum, how you feel any action you take based on the side of ruptured! The same time bacteria can accumulate inside a showerhead, for example information. Buildup of pus behind your eardrum to burst through the ear canal less you. This includes your finger, cotton swabs or any other object email!... Or during a surgery to close the hole experience discomfort in your tubes! Other things to avoid: Wearing ear plugs or in-ear headphones staph bacteria can accumulate inside a showerhead for!. ) hit by sound waves entering the ear dry, with exception of prescribed ear drops if.. Measurement, audience insights and product development subject, but may persist for some time after the incident speed! The world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes to Store access. We discuss common symptoms are pus-like, foul smelling ear discharge, or worsening hearing loss the. Chemicals in several commonly recommended herbs really do fight bacterial infections that cause pain and.. Medicine, Biotech information they may experience temporary pain and discomfort let them if. Severe, you may be feeling it means theres a hole in eustachian... Ear from coming into contact with anything feel pain and loss of hearing the tissue be very. Silverdale, Sequim, Port Angeles, andBainbridge Island keep the ear canal choose UpToDate to keep!

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