Ears - Water - Frustration

[Shorey]

I was surfing two weeks ago and fell in such a way that the right hand side of my face my right ear hit the wave first. According to the doc I have torn my ear drum away from the side of the ear. He gave me steroid drops and sent me on my way. The discomfort was such that I forgot to ask him how soon I could surf again etc.

Whilst I appreciate this is a ski based site, has anyone got experience of this? Will I get my hearing back? When can I go in the water again? Finally, will I regain my balance by the next ski season... it currently stuffed as a result of all of this?

Cheers

[peterslovo]

Ruptured ear drums heal on their own usually within 1-2 months, unless there is infection - then that can lead to complications and even surgery. The key is to keep it clean and not get water in there, so I'd stay out of the water for awhile and make sure no water gets in there while showering, etc. Time to ride the bike...

[Core Shot]

Obviously ask your doc, but I have known folks with infections and perforations that have gone back in the water sooner with earplugs.

http://www.surfing-waves.com/shop/pr...9130-Macks.htm

[Shorey]

The resulting infection caused a three day bleed, so I'm going to try and stay clear of the water for a while. Ear plugs are a definate from now on - thanks for the surfing-waves.com link.

Compared to the ACL ops and other major surgery being mentioned on this site, this is small fry stuff, so I'll quit the moaning.

Thanks to both of you for the advice.