Perforated Eardrum? Ear Infection? WTF.

[irishScott]

Last Thursday my friends and I had a kickass after-finals party. The next day I woke up, everything seemed fine, and then I noticed that whenever I swallow/yaw big I get a sharp stabbing pain seemingly just outside the canal of my right ear. Hearing hasn't been impaired, so I think that rules out blockage. At first I thought it was some weird sinus reaction, but sudafed didn't do anything either.

So I arrived at the above conclusion, given the fact that it aches slightly when exposed to loud noises (ie: driving with the windows down). However, the only exposure that could have possibly damaged my ear was my friend's subwoofer. While I was close to it, I was to the side and the only thing we watched was Dodgeball.

Obviously I'm going to see a Doctor if it doesn't get better in couple of days, and from what I've read most perforated eardrums (if that's what this is) heal on their own. That said, I can't find any reference of swallow/yawn induced pain associated with perforated eardrums, so the diagnosis is an educated shot in the dark at best.

Any ideas?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Well, the swallowing induced pain sounds nothing like a perforated or ruptured eardrum. Usually your hearing would be fairly impaired and you would have a constant pain along with some ringing. My guess is that it wouldn't be a perforated eardrum 'cause you would know when that happened, on top of the odd symptoms. Have you ever had an ear infection? To me it sounds more like that. These are some ideas that I'm throwing out there 'cause I have no idea as well. I would probably go see the doctor ASAP. If you have any fluid leaking from the ear, make sure to go to the doctor as soon as physically possible.

 

[GenHoth]

Ear infection?

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Well, the swallowing induced pain sounds nothing like a perforated or ruptured eardrum. Usually your hearing would be fairly impaired and you would have a constant pain along with some ringing. My guess is that it wouldn't be a perforated eardrum 'cause you would know when that happened, on top of the odd symptoms. Have you ever had an ear infection? To me it sounds more like that. These are some ideas that I'm throwing out there 'cause I have no idea as well. I would probably go see the doctor ASAP. If you have any fluid leaking from the ear, make sure to go to the doctor as soon as physically possible.

It's possible, but I've had ear infections before, and they almost always included constant pain. The pain was augmented by swallowing/yawning but there was always a constant ache. I don't have a fever either.

Also, I have felt something that feels like drainage within the ear, but nothing palpable has actually run out.

In any case, the pain actually got better a few hours ago, so if it is an infection I might be fighting it off. Still no hearing problems. I'll see how it feels tomorrow.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Well, the swallowing induced pain sounds nothing like a perforated or ruptured eardrum. Usually your hearing would be fairly impaired and you would have a constant pain along with some ringing. My guess is that it wouldn't be a perforated eardrum 'cause you would know when that happened, on top of the odd symptoms. Have you ever had an ear infection? To me it sounds more like that. These are some ideas that I'm throwing out there 'cause I have no idea as well. I would probably go see the doctor ASAP. If you have any fluid leaking from the ear, make sure to go to the doctor as soon as physically possible.

It's possible, but I've had ear infections before, and they almost always included constant pain. The pain was augmented by swallowing/yawning but there was always a constant ache. I don't have a fever either.

Also, I have felt something that feels like drainage within the ear, but nothing palpable has actually run out.

In any case, the pain actually got better a few hours ago, so if it is an infection I might be fighting it off. Still no hearing problems. I'll see how it feels tomorrow.

Fair enough, but if you have any symptoms left, please go see a specialist. You don't want to lose your hearing because you didn't wanna go to the doctor's. Glad to hear it's feeling better.

 

[gramboh]

Honestly I don't see how a home subwoofer could blow out your ear drum. I've (stupidly, very stupidly) stood beside 15 foot tall stacks of 15inch bassbins at various concerts/raves over the years for extended periods of time, without earplugs, and suffered hearing loss for it, and also the 'ears screaming' sensation when there is insanely loud midrange/high frequency sound coming out, but never had any issue with perforation, I just don't see how it's possible from a home sub. I'd see a doctor if it doesn't clear up quickly.