Most burst eardrums heal on their own, and a few simple measures can make nights easier while yours heals. A sore, leaking ear can make even settling onto a pillow uncomfortable. The aim at bedtime is to ease that discomfort so you can rest, without irritating an ear that's already sore.
Sleeping with a ruptured eardrum in brief
A ruptured eardrum usually heals on its own within about 2 months. For pain at night, take paracetamol or ibuprofen. Keep the ear dry and put nothing inside it, including ear plugs or drops unless a doctor recommends them. If lying on the sore ear hurts, sleep with it facing up for comfort. Sudden or worsening hearing loss needs an urgent GP appointment or a call to NHS 111.
A ruptured eardrum is a hole or tear in the eardrum
A ruptured eardrum, also called a perforated or burst eardrum, is a hole or tear in the eardrum, according to the NHS.1 It usually happens suddenly after an ear infection, an injury such as being hit on the ear, a loud noise, or a sudden change in air pressure, such as when flying.
What are the symptoms of a ruptured eardrum?
Symptoms usually affect one ear, according to the NHS:
- Hearing loss
- Ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Earache
- Itching in the ear
- Clear fluid, blood or pus leaking from the ear
- Feeling dizzy
- A high temperature
You can sleep with a ruptured eardrum, with care
A sore or leaking ear can make bedtime awkward. The NHS advice on caring for a perforated eardrum applies at night too; I'd also use a towel to save changing the pillowcase if your ear leaks.
- Painkillers before bed: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if your ear hurts.
- Ear kept dry: Keep the ear dry, and if you wash your hair in the evening, place cotton wool covered in petroleum jelly in the outer ear to keep water out.
- Nothing in the ear: Don't put anything inside the ear, including ear plugs, cotton buds or ear drops, unless a doctor recommends them.
- Nose blown gently: Try not to blow your nose hard, as this can damage the eardrum while it heals.
- Towel over the pillow: Lay one down if the ear is leaking.
Choose a sleeping position that keeps pressure off the sore ear
Lying on the sore ear usually hurts, so try sleeping on your back. This is a choice for comfort while you rest.
Sleep on your back, or on your good side with the sore ear facing up. A towel over the pillow helps if the ear leaks.
If you prefer sleeping on your side, lie on the other side with the sore ear facing up. An extra pillow can help stop you rolling onto it during the night.
Avoid swimming and getting your ear wet until it heals
Keep out of swimming pools until your eardrum has healed, even if your ear feels better. The NHS advises against swimming or getting the ear wet while it heals.
Showering and washing your hair need a little care to keep water out. Place a large piece of cotton wool covered in petroleum jelly in the outer ear. Put nothing inside the ear, including cotton buds, eardrops or ear plugs, unless a doctor recommends them.
When to get help for a ruptured eardrum
Changes in your hearing are the thing to act on quickly.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you have sudden hearing loss in 1 or both ears
- your hearing has been getting worse over the last few days or weeks
- you have hearing loss along with other symptoms, such as earache or discharge coming out of the ear
See a GP if your symptoms have not started to improve after a few weeks. (NHS)
A ruptured eardrum sometimes needs antibiotics or surgery
A ruptured eardrum usually heals on its own within 2 months, according to the NHS. You may be given antibiotics to treat an ear infection or prevent one. If the eardrum isn't healing, surgery to repair it, called myringoplasty, is sometimes needed.
Flying is safe with a perforated eardrum. After myringoplasty, though, you need to wait until you're told it's safe to fly. If you've had the operation, follow that advice before taking a flight.
Questions people ask about sleeping with a ruptured eardrum
Sleep with the sore ear facing up if lying on it hurts. Comfort is what matters when you're choosing how to lie. If you usually sleep on that ear, try the other side. Sleeping on your back is another option. You don't need to force yourself to stay on your side if you're more comfortable on your back.
No, leave ear plugs out unless a doctor recommends them. The NHS advises putting nothing inside your ear, such as cotton buds or eardrops, unless a doctor recommends it. Ear plugs count as putting something inside your ear. If noise is keeping you awake, ask anyone sharing your room to keep it quiet while you rest.
A ruptured eardrum usually heals on its own within 2 months, according to the NHS. Waiting can feel particularly frustrating when you're struggling to sleep. That timescale isn't a reason to delay asking for help: the NHS advises seeing a GP if your symptoms haven't started to improve after a few weeks.
Yes, unless you've had myringoplasty and haven't yet been told it's safe to fly. The NHS says flying with a perforated eardrum is safe. Myringoplasty is an operation to repair the eardrum, and the advice after that operation is different. If you've had it, ask when you can fly before booking a flight.
