Tympanoplasty (Eardrum Repair) Recovery

Ear packing: Your ear canal will be packed with dissolvable or removable material. This makes hearing in that ear muffled. This is the packing, not a sign the surgery hasn't worked. Do not pull at or attempt to remove packing.

Pain: Usually mild to moderate. Deep ear ache and occasional sharp pains are common. Paracetamol is usually sufficient; some surgeons prescribe eardrops.

Discharge: Some blood-tinged discharge is normal. A small piece of cotton wool can be placed at the ear opening (not pushed in) and changed as needed.

Key restrictions: Keep the ear completely dry: no water in the ear canal. Use cotton wool with petroleum jelly when showering. No nose blowing (sneeze with mouth open). No flying for 4–6 weeks.

As per ENT-UK guidelines (last checked Jul 2026): keeping the ear dry and avoiding pressure changes are critical for graft healing.

Weeks 2–4: Packing gradually dissolves or is removed at a clinic visit. Hearing may still be muffled. Avoid loud environments.

Weeks 4–8: The graft is healing in place. You may notice hearing gradually improving as packing dissolves and swelling settles. Most surgeons review at 6–8 weeks with a hearing test.

3–6 months: Final hearing result. Tympanoplasty is successful in closing the perforation in approximately 85–95% of cases. Hearing improvement depends on whether the hearing bones (ossicles) are also affected.

As per published guidelines (last checked Jul 2026): full healing takes 6–8 weeks. A hearing test at the follow-up appointment assesses the outcome.