Ear Surgery

Information about ear surgery

Advice after ear surgery

This page contains some general information and instructions which you should follow after major ear surgery. Most ear surgery heals fully within 3 months however people vary in their speed of healing. Ask at your appointments when it is safe to swim.

Cholesteatoma

The primary goal of surgery for cholesteatoma is treating the infection and removing the full extent of the disease. The secondary goal is to restore hearing. An uncontrolled cholesteatoma can lead to serious complications.

Ear grommets

Ear grommets are tiny tubes placed through the ear drum to allow air into the middle ear and treat infection. Gromments are usually made out of Teflon and may have a coating intended to reduce the possibility of infection.

Ear problems

This page contains general information about common ear problems. Find out more about general topics including ear infections, blocked ears, hearing loss perforated ear drum and the ears and flying.

Exostoses

Exostoses are bony lumps that grow within the external ear canal. They typically take many years to develop and often more than one are found. Reasons to surgically remove exostoses include hearing loss and repeated infections like otitis externa.

Otoplasty

Ear plastic surgery is also known as ear pinning surgery or otoplasty. Protruding and drooping ears or torn earlobes can be surgically corrected. Corrective surgery, should be considered on ears which stick out more 2 cm from the back of the head.

Perforated ear drum

Chronic ear infections and some types of injuries can create a hole in your eardrum. This can cause hearing loss, ear infection with drainage and limitation of water-related activities. Tympanoplasty surgery repairs the hole in your eardrum to improve hearing and to prevent ear infections.

If you have questions about ear surgery contact your local doctor who will arrange for you to see an ear nose throat specialist.