My eardrum is retracted and now it's ballooned up. I'm a pilot and really worried will this heal on its own or do I need surgery? It's been bothering me a lot and I'm not sure what to expect.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Kamran Mohammed

General Practitioner

MBBS
FIDM
5+ Yrs

Consult Now

Retracted eardrums can range from mild to severe. Some get better on their own, and some need treatment. It's important to visit a healthcare provider if you think you might have a retracted eardrum. In some cases, it can lead to conditions like ear infections and temporary or permanent hearing loss.

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Answered 14/08/2025

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I've had a sore throat for a couple of weeks now and just noticed a hole at the back near my tonsils. I've been smoking for about two years. Should I be worried about this? What could it be?

avoid smoking

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I'm dealing with a really bad sinus infection, and while my cough and nasal blockage have gotten better, my ears still feel blocked. Since yesterday, every time I yawn, there's pain either in my throat or mouth, and I can't really pinpoint the exact spot. Could this be related to the cold and blocked ears, or is there something else going on?

visit dermatologist for evaluation and appropriate management

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

So, I had a tympanoplasty type 1 ear surgery back on May 10, 2018, and my doctor removed some gel forms on June 5, but mentioned there's still a bit left on my eardrum. They can't clear it yet 'cause the doc's on leave, and advised me to use otocin o ear drops, four drops daily, until then. My worry is, when I put the ear drops in before bed, they don't seem to drain properly. Even after sleeping for 7 to 8 hours, the drops just come out when I wake up. Is it okay for the medicine to stay in my ear for that long, or should I be worried about how they're not draining? How long are ear drops typically supposed to stay in the ear anyway?

refer to dermatologist

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

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Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.