Your Guide to Recovery After Ear Surgery

What to Expect

• Hearing Changes: Your hearing will feel muffled or blocked. This is normal and caused by ear canal and middle ear packing and fluid. It will improve over several weeks.
• Drainage:  Bloody or watery discharge from the ear is common for the first few days.
• Sensation: You may hear popping, clicking, or clicking noises in your ear.
• Mild Dizziness: Mild unsteadiness is normal immediately after surgery.

• Do not allow water to enter your ear canal.
• When showering or washing hair, plug the ear with a cotton ball coated in Vaseline.
• Do not swim until your surgeon gives you permission.

• Do not blow your nose. Wipe it gently if needed.
• Sneeze with your mouth open to prevent pressure buildup in the ear.
• Avoid straining, heavy lifting (over 5kg), and vigorous exercise until cleared by your surgeon.
• Do not fly or travel to high altitudes until cleared by your surgeon.

• Leave all  ear packing  alone. But do not worry if 2-3 pieces fall out, there is plenty of packing in the ear.
• Replace the outer cotton ball only if it becomes soaked.
• Do not insert cotton buds or any objects into the ear canal.

• Take prescribed pain relief regularly as directed.
• Do not miss doses of prescribed antibiotics (often not needed).
• Use ear drops only if specifically instructed by your surgeon.

• Foul-smelling or heavy yellowish discharge from the ear.
• Severe or worsening dizziness and spinning sensations.
• Sudden, severe pain that medicine does not relieve.
• A high fever (above 38°C).
• Sudden weakness or drooping in your facial muscles.