Difficulty hearing, itchiness from ear tubes. Help?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have ear tubes that have extruded or partially extruded, and I am having a hard time hearing. My ears are itchy, and I am having extreme and instant pain if water gets in the ear (at the beach). I have an ear camera, and I can attach photos.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please attach the pictures in which I can see you external ear canal and tympanic membrane. It can be due to middle ear effusion.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Your ear does not look infected (attachment removed to protect patient identity). In one ear due to extrusion of the tube, there is a perforation which will heal on the own in a month. And in another ear the grommet is insitu, and tympanic membrane looks healthy. You will have to keep your ears dry because if water goes inside your ear, it will even go inside your middle ear and can cause infection. That is why you have severe pain. You will have to avoid swimming, diving, keep cotton in the external ear canal while taking a bath so that the water does not go inside your ear. Headache and neck pain can be due to ear pain. You may take Paracetamol (1 gm) for pain.