A tear or hole in the membrane of the middle ear is called a perforated or ruptured eardrum. This can happen if an infection builds up inside the ear or if the eardrum becomes injured. You may have trouble hearing in that ear or hear a buzzing sound. You may have ear pain or have fluids leaking from the ear. Pierced eardrum: How to sleep?
Pierced eardrum: How to sleep with good habits during the day
- If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Don't stop taking them just because you feel better. You must follow the full course of antibiotics.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), as needed. Read and follow all label instructions.
- Do not take two painkillers at the same time unless the doctor has told you to. Many pain relievers contain acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- To ease the pain, place a warm washcloth or heating pad over the ear. You may need ear drainage.
- Be careful when taking over-the-counter medications and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these drugs contain acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read labels to make sure you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much Tylenol can be harmful.
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Keep your ears dry.
- Take baths until your doctor says you can shower again.
- When washing your hair, use cotton wool lightly coated with petroleum jelly as an earplug. Do not use plastic earplugs.
- Do not swim until your doctor tells you to.
- If you have water in your ears, turn your head to either side and pull the earlobe in different directions. This will help the water to drain. If your ears are still damp, use a hair dryer on the lowest setting. Hold the dryer 8 to 10 centimeters from your ear.
- Don't put anything in your ear canal. For example, don't use a cotton swab to clean the inside of your ear. It can damage your ear. If you think you have something in your ear, have your doctor check it out.
Why is ear pain worse at night?
During the day, the head is almost always upright and as such, air can flow freely through the eustachian tubes (a narrow passage from the throat to the cavity of the middle ear). Additionally, actions such as yawning and chewing (which are more common during the day) cause these tubes to open wider, helping to drain fluid from them, allowing more air to pass through. However, when you lie down at night, it makes it increasingly difficult for air to pass; and the tubes cannot flow and may become blocked. This may therefore explain why your ear pain is worse at night compared to the pain felt during the day.
Settling into your normal sleeping routine becomes a difficult task when you suffer from ruptured eardrums because it is difficult for you to lie down on the particular side where the pain is emanating from. Also, you may wake up frequently at night due to sudden sharp pains in the ear; and that, in turn, can make you feel exhausted and quite unsettled the next day.
How to Sleep With a Pierced Eardrum: Natural Remedies
Pierced eardrum: How to sleep with these natural solutions:
Fortunately, there are many solutions for sleeping with a pierced eardrum. Here are the most effective.
Wear noise canceling headphones
Noise canceling headphones have the same function as earplugs, but they are much more effective and help protect the ears by wrapping them in a cocoon of comfort.
Earplugs greatly promote the piercing of the eardrums because of their "perforating" effect.
It is therefore essential not to use them again even after healing because they could cause a new perforation.
Noise-canceling headphones, on the other hand, insulate and protect them and create a feeling of warmth, which allows them to be protected during sleep and allow faster healing.
They also promote sleep thanks to the auditory comfort they provide.
Our best noise canceling headphones for sleeping with a pierced eardrum
Try Home Remedies
For the first 48 hours, there are several home remedies you can try that can help relieve ear pain and thus allow you to have a more peaceful night's sleep. These may include the following:
- The night, try to elevate your head using a few extra soft pillows ; this can help clear your Eustachian tube and allow more air to pass through. It should be noted, however, that sleeping like this can cause pain in the spine and neck.
- Try placing a heating pad or warm flannel cloth on the area where the pain is coming from for about five minutes.
- If ear pain wakes you up in the middle of your sleep at night, you can trying to swallow and yawn, as this will also help open the Eustachian tubes.
- You can also take painkillers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or paracetamol, before going to bed. This will help relieve your ear pain overnight and even throughout the day while you wait for your doctor's appointment.
- Sip some water before you fall asleep; the swallowing motion can help trigger the muscles that allow the Eustachian tubes to open and drain, reducing your ear pain.
- Another popular home remedy: place a drop of lobelia or mullein oil, or a few drops of warmed garlic or olive oil in the ears , then plug them loosely with cotton balls.
Pierced eardrum: How to sleep? You have all the answers.
