Ruptured Ear Drum Question!!!

Updated on October 07, 2007
N.H. asks from Columbia, TN
6 answers

Hi Moms! My 3 year old ruptured his ear drum last Wednesday. It has been a tough week, but he is doing fine now. We have 3 more days of ear drops left. My question is, if any of you have gone through this before, what can I do about swimming? He LOVES to swim, I am pregnant with twins, so swimming is really helpful to me as well. I am nervous though, can his ear get wet? How long should I wait to get it wet? Has anyone tried earplugs with a toddler?
Thanks!!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you SO much moms!! This was a tough week, but he is doing fine. I am glad to know that other kids have gone through this and are just fine now. He is such a swimmer...I was worried that he would have trouble. I bought the orange ear plugs and he actually LIKES them!!!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Dallas on

Ear plugs are for sure the way to go!!! In the pharmacy section, they should sell child sized ear wax (the kind we buy is orange) and mine have used them since they were 1. The trick is to put them in before he gets wet at all, and I tend to roll them in my hand to make them warm and easier to use. My kids know how they should feel now, and have been doing their own for a few years, so your son could even help with that. Try it in the bath for a while to get used to it. I dont remember how long we had to wait to get their ears wet after a rupture, but we still use them, cuz the kids get swimmers ear very easily. Good luck, it will work well once you get the hang of it! ~A.~

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.B.

answers from Dallas on

Our daughters easr drum ruptered repeatedly from November to February, we ended up doing tubes. I am not sure if your son has had tubes put in?? If the eardrum has healed, I don't think swimming should be a problem. If it has not I would look into earplugs, it may not be a bad idea anyway as he may be prone to ear infections or swimmers ear, this iwll help with that at least. I would ask your pediatrician or take him to an ENT to check the eardrum thoroughly. he should be okay to splash around, maybe not prolonged periods under water??

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.

answers from Dallas on

Our ENT said that they could have water poured over their ears and be in the shower etc. but they couldnt be completely submerged in water for 1 week. The eardrum is healed within a week-10 days. I know it's hard but once the eardrum is ruptured your child is feeling much better because the pressure has been released. I hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.F.

answers from Dallas on

My eldest son, now 6, has reptured his twice. My doctor told me that it heals fairly quickly. The drops help with pain and stop the infection. He is an advanced underwater swimmer and has had no lasting problems. I was told to keep bath water or public pool water out of his ear for a few weeks. We used putty in his ears when he was older, but just was real careful when he was 2 and it happened not to get them wet with bath water. Ear plugs should be fine, but I would ask your doctor how long he thinks it should heal depending on the level of the tear. I hope he feels well soon.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi, my son ruptured his ear drum when he was three, and he couldn't get his ears wet for 6 weeks afterward, according to the ENT specialist he saw. Hope this helps.

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Dallas on

I can help with this question! My eardrums have ruptured more times than I know. My mother says it is a miracle that I am not deaf. Recently my nephews eardrum ruptured, which I was sad to hear. I have a five year old daughter myself. Whenever I take her to the pediatrician I always ask about her ears. They always look fine but last week her eardrum ruptured! I understand what you are going through.

Anyways-I know it was back in the 80's, but my mom struggled with the same problem you have. She wanted me to be a normal kid and be able to go swimming. Doctor after doctor told her that I could not go swimming-ever. She even washed my hair in the kitchen, while I laid on the counter with my head over the sink! Finally she convinced a doctor to get earplugs for me. The thing is you need to make sure that you go to an ENT (ear-nose-throat) doctor to have earplugs made especially for your son. Do not just buy ones at the store. A doctor can have a mold made of the inside of your son's ears. Then plugs are made with a dot on one to identify the left from the right! I don't think I ever had any problems after the earplugs. However you might not let him dive off the diving board. The doctor told my mother that could rupture my eardrum!

I would consult your physician as to when your child's ear is healed. If ear problems persist he/she will probably have you contact an ENT doctor.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches