What Side Should You Sleep On If You Have a Ruptured Eardrum?

How to Sleep With a Ruptured Eardrum

People may have difficulty sleeping when one or both ears hurt. Therefore, people with ear pain after a ruptured eardrum should talk to their doctors about pain relief to help them sleep comfortably. In addition, temporary adjustments to sleeping positions may help reduce discomfort from sleeping on a ruptured eardrum.

Depending on the cause, people may have ruptured eardrums in one or both ears. If only one eardrum is ruptured, then they may feel more comfortable sleeping on their back or on the side of the opposite ear, with the ruptured ear facing up. Side sleeping in this way may also help ear drops to absorb, if they are prescribed or recommended by a doctor.

If both eardrums are ruptured, then back sleeping may be the most comfortable position until the ears heal. People who feel a lot of pressure in their ears might also consider sleeping upright or on multiple pillows. One small study found that people with chronically ruptured eardrums had higher pressures in their middle ears Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source when lying down compared to when upright.

Symptoms of a Ruptured Eardrum

Some people may not experience any symptoms during or after a ruptured eardrum. However, common symptoms of a ruptured eardrum may include:

• Intense, sharp ear pain Trusted Source Merck Manual 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. View Source  
• Clear, bloody, or yellowish fluid that drains from the ear
• Partial hearing loss Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source in the injured ear 
• Ringing in the injured ear

Some people may feel a spinning sensation Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source after a ruptured eardrum. If it occurs, the spinning sensation usually lasts for a very short time. However, if the spinning sensation does not improve quickly then this may mean that the inner ear is damaged.

Problems in the eardrum or middle ear may cause a form of hearing loss Trusted Source Merck Manual 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. View Source that stops or limits sounds from reaching the inner ear. This happens because the eardrum vibrates when it is hit by sound waves entering the ear. These vibrations move tiny bones in the middle ear, which amplify the sounds and send them on to the inner ear.

Causes of a Ruptured Eardrum

The most common causes of a ruptured eardrum are infections, sudden changes in pressure, and injuries.

Other potential causes of ruptured eardrums include:

• Very loud and sudden noises
• Strong suction on the ear
• Shock waves from explosions Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source
• Lightning strikes 

People who have previously had ear surgery or repeated middle ear infections are at higher risk of ruptured eardrums. Indigenous children, people with limited access to health care, and people infected with group A Streptococcus bacteria are also at higher risk of ruptured eardrums from middle ear infections.

Home Care for a Ruptured Eardrum

Anyone who thinks that they may have a ruptured eardrum should talk to their doctor. A doctor can look inside the ear to diagnose a ruptured eardrum. They may also order a test to check for hearing loss. A doctor can also provide instructions to protect the eardrum, prescribe antibiotics, and schedule a follow-up appointment to check whether their ear is healing.

Most ruptured eardrums will heal on their own without treatment. People with ruptured eardrums should follow their doctor’s advice. In addition, there are several steps that they can take at home.

Protect the Affected Ear 

People with ruptured eardrums should take care to keep water out of their ears until the tear heals. If water gets into the ear, it could cause a middle ear infection. This is because water in the ears could carry germs through a tear in the eardrum and into the middle ear. 

If possible, people with ruptured eardrums should avoid putting their heads under water. If they can not entirely avoid water, then they should consider gently placing cotton balls in their external ears while in the shower or washing their hair and using earplugs while swimming.

Apply a Warm Compress

A warm compress on the affected ear may help to reduce pain from a ruptured eardrum. To prepare a warm compress, run a soft washcloth under warm water and then hold it to the ear for several minutes. Make sure that water does not enter the ear and that the compress is at a comfortable temperature before placing it against the skin.

Try Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine

People who have ongoing pain after a ruptured eardrum may consider using over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. People should talk to their doctors if their ear pain is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine.

Do Not Insert Items in the Ear Canal

People should never insert items into their ears, whether they are ruptured or not. Cotton-tipped swabs and other items can damage or pierce the eardrums. One large study of people with ruptured eardrums found that over one-quarter Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source were caused by cotton-tipped swabs. If an item does become stuck in the ear, people should not attempt to remove it themselves and should seek medical care.

If blood or other fluid drains from the ear, people may gently wipe the outside of the ear but should not attempt to clean the ear canal without medical attention.

Finally, people with ruptured eardrums should not take over-the-counter or herbal ear drops unless a physician has advised them to do so. 

Avoid Air Travel Until Healed

Sudden changes in air pressure, such as during airplane liftoff and landing or during scuba diving, can damage the eardrum. People with ruptured eardrums should talk to their doctors before traveling by airplane or scuba diving.

When to See a Doctor

People who think they may have a ruptured eardrum should see a doctor to determine whether they have any other injuries or infection. If their pain quickly improves and they are not bothered by other symptoms, then they can wait until the next day to see a doctor. 

People who think they have a ruptured eardrum should see a doctor right away if they:

• Have a head or neck injury 
• Feel very dizzy 
• Have significant hearing loss, such as difficulty hearing other people speak 
• Have a fever 
• Vomit or feel nauseated 
• Have an object stuck in their ear

Most ruptured eardrums will heal on their own within a few weeks. However, some people with head or neck injuries, damage to the tiny bones in the middle ear, or with large tears in their eardrums may need surgery to repair their injuries.

A doctor treating a person with a ruptured eardrum may ask to follow up in a few weeks to check whether the eardrum has healed and whether hearing has improved. The doctor may recommend evaluation by a specialist or, if complications happen, surgery.

After a ruptured eardrum, people are at higher risk of developing chronic middle ear infections. These ear infections often do not hurt Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source nor cause a fever. The most common symptoms are pus-like, foul smelling ear discharge, or worsening hearing loss. People should tell their doctors if they develop these symptoms after a ruptured eardrum. Chronic middle ear infections can spread to other parts of the head and cause complications.