Discharge Instructions for Tympanoplasty

You had a procedure called tympanoplasty to repair a damaged eardrum, stop infection, and improve hearing. Here's what you need to do at home following this procedure.

Home care

• Keep your head slightly elevated for the first 24 hours after you go home.

• Don't do anything that makes your ears pop. Don’t blow your nose or exhale with your nose held closed.

• Don't do activities that involve heavy lifting and straining.

• Sneeze with your mouth open.

• Shower as needed, starting 3 days after your surgery. You may allow water to run across any external wounds, but don’t scrub them.

• 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.

• Get your doctor's permission before flying in a plane or swimming.

• Expect a small amount of drainage from the ear.

• Don't be alarmed if the skin of your outer ear is numb. This is a result of the surgery. The feeling should return in a few months.

• Take your medicine exactly as directed.

Follow-up care

• Make follow-up appointments as directed by our staff. Your ear has special packing material in it. Parts of this material may need to be removed at specific times.

• Ask your doctor when you may return to work. There may be special restrictions, depending upon the kind of work you do.