You had a procedure called tympanoplasty to fix a damaged eardrum, stop infection, and improve hearing. Here's what you need to do at home after this procedure.
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Keep your head slightly elevated for the first 24 hours after you go home.
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Don't do anything that makes your ears pop. Don’t blow your nose or exhale with your nose held closed.
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Don't do activities that involve heavy lifting and straining.
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Sneeze with your mouth open.
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Shower as needed, starting 3 days after your surgery or when your healthcare provider says you can. You may let water run across any external wounds. But don’t scrub them.
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Keep the ear dry. You can place a cotton ball dabbed with a small amount of petroleum jelly in the outer ear to keep water out during a bath or shower.
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Get your healthcare provider's permission before doing strenuous exercises, such as weightlifting or swimming.
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Don't fly in a plane until your healthcare provider says it is OK to do so.
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Expect a small amount of drainage from the ear.
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Don't be alarmed if the skin of your outer ear is numb. This is a result of the surgery. The feeling should come back in a few months.
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Take your medicine exactly as your healthcare provider says.