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Got Hit On Chin. Started Bleeding From Ear And Unable To Hear. Will It Be Cured On Its Own?
Question: I have bleeding from my ear after an episode of auto-erotic asphyxia during which I passed out and hit my chin on the floor (I assume from the cut on the chin). Also a part of that side of my face is numb. I assume I perforated my eardrum, as I cannot hear out of that ear. Does a perfoprated eardrum heal on its own over time and is hearing restored? Thank you.
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Healing will be quick if the size of the tear in the ear drum is small or the edges of the perforation are near each other.
2. Average healing time may thus vary from a few days to a few weeks. Most dry small traumatic ear drum ruptures that I see heal within two to six weeks, even in adults.
3. The eardrum has a tremendous capacity to heal. While the eardrum is healing, it is very delicate and must be kept dry. If you use ear drops, use only Ciplofloxacin and use all aseptic precautions to avoid introducing any infection into the ear.
4. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) to confirm that you have a Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL). Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) should be ruled out as it requires urgent treatment. Pure CHL will reduce once the ear drum heals and the hearing should return to normal.
5. Since your face is also numb, get the Facial Nerve tested as it passes through the ear. Sensations on the face are supplied by the Trigeminal Nerve. Get a Neurologist's opinion. If the numbness does not subside or if you have difficulty in moving the facial muscles and altered tongue sensation, you may require steroids and physiotherapy.
6. If the rarer case, if the ear drum does not heal, a Myringoplasty / Tympanoplasty procedure will help repair the defect in the ear drum.
7. Get the cut on the chin cleaned and examined to check whether any stitches are required.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for your query.
1. Healing will be quick if the size of the tear in the ear drum is small or the edges of the perforation are near each other.
2. Average healing time may thus vary from a few days to a few weeks. Most dry small traumatic ear drum ruptures that I see heal within two to six weeks, even in adults.
3. The eardrum has a tremendous capacity to heal. While the eardrum is healing, it is very delicate and must be kept dry. If you use ear drops, use only Ciplofloxacin and use all aseptic precautions to avoid introducing any infection into the ear.
4. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) to confirm that you have a Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL). Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) should be ruled out as it requires urgent treatment. Pure CHL will reduce once the ear drum heals and the hearing should return to normal.
5. Since your face is also numb, get the Facial Nerve tested as it passes through the ear. Sensations on the face are supplied by the Trigeminal Nerve. Get a Neurologist's opinion. If the numbness does not subside or if you have difficulty in moving the facial muscles and altered tongue sensation, you may require steroids and physiotherapy.
6. If the rarer case, if the ear drum does not heal, a Myringoplasty / Tympanoplasty procedure will help repair the defect in the ear drum.
7. Get the cut on the chin cleaned and examined to check whether any stitches are required.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Bhatti for your prompt reply. I neglected to mention that I also bit my tongue and lacerated it top and bottom. The bleeding has stopped but when I eat it resumes. Does that require stitches? All of this occurred just hours ago. Thank you.
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. If there is no XXXXXXX cut on the surface of the tongue, stitches will not be required. Apply ice over the area.
2. If you are not sure of the extent of the tongue injury and since the bleeding resumes when you eat, get the lacerations shown to a physician.
3. If that is not possible you may share close up images of your tongue for an accurate assessment. try and fold your tongue across the lacerated area in at least one of the images.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for writing back.
1. If there is no XXXXXXX cut on the surface of the tongue, stitches will not be required. Apply ice over the area.
2. If you are not sure of the extent of the tongue injury and since the bleeding resumes when you eat, get the lacerations shown to a physician.
3. If that is not possible you may share close up images of your tongue for an accurate assessment. try and fold your tongue across the lacerated area in at least one of the images.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for replying so quickly again.
I should have mentioned that there is pain in my ear and around my cheekbone when I open my mouth, and I can only open it so there is about an inch separation between my upper and lower teeth. I assume this is from hitting my chin, and maybe the jaw was bruised.
If you meant that I could attach photos of my tongue to you for evaluation, I don't know how to go about doing that except by direct email.
Thanks again Dr. Bhatti.
I should have mentioned that there is pain in my ear and around my cheekbone when I open my mouth, and I can only open it so there is about an inch separation between my upper and lower teeth. I assume this is from hitting my chin, and maybe the jaw was bruised.
If you meant that I could attach photos of my tongue to you for evaluation, I don't know how to go about doing that except by direct email.
Thanks again Dr. Bhatti.
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The pain is probably due to the injury to the chin and jawbone.
2. Inability to open the jaw (normally three to four fingers width) is known as trismus. This is most likely due to pain. However if it persists or interferes with eating and chewing, you may need x-rays to examine the jaw and TM (Temporo-Mandibular Joints)
3. There is an option to upload images and reports on the query page itself.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for writing back.
1. The pain is probably due to the injury to the chin and jawbone.
2. Inability to open the jaw (normally three to four fingers width) is known as trismus. This is most likely due to pain. However if it persists or interferes with eating and chewing, you may need x-rays to examine the jaw and TM (Temporo-Mandibular Joints)
3. There is an option to upload images and reports on the query page itself.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Bhatti,
Thank you for taking another follow up question. The bleeding from my ear has slowed but is still there a day after the incident. A drop occasionally flows out, especially if I tilt my head. It takes some time for it to run down and it isn't flowing heavily like it was. How long does it take for it to stop?
Thank you again.
XXXXXXX
Thank you for taking another follow up question. The bleeding from my ear has slowed but is still there a day after the incident. A drop occasionally flows out, especially if I tilt my head. It takes some time for it to run down and it isn't flowing heavily like it was. How long does it take for it to stop?
Thank you again.
XXXXXXX
Hi,
Thank you for following up.
1. The slight blood stain or drop is common after an ear canal injury.
2. It will settle down in a day or two. The blood clots, if any may remain in the ear canal for many weeks before they fall out.
3. There is need to remove them. Scabs may itch during healing and you should avoid using ear buds.
The ear bleeding is no cause for worry.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Thank you for following up.
1. The slight blood stain or drop is common after an ear canal injury.
2. It will settle down in a day or two. The blood clots, if any may remain in the ear canal for many weeks before they fall out.
3. There is need to remove them. Scabs may itch during healing and you should avoid using ear buds.
The ear bleeding is no cause for worry.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Bhatti,
Thank you for responding again. I'm concerned because when it started bleeding the flow was heavy and I thought it was clogging my eardrum so I swabbed inside with my little finger around a tee shirt to try to staunch the flow and it seemed to clear, promptly followed by it filling again. I hadn't realized the hearing was already gone and I did this procedure over and over many times to get the sensation of it clearing. It felt like when you get water in your ear. It would clear with a clicking sound then promptly clog again and now it feels clogged all the time, with ringing. Now I only swab out the drop that forms at the bottom of the outside of the canal every few hours and as I say it has slowed. But I'm wondering if by using my procedure I created more damage and that the clog is permanent because the hearing is nearly totally gone. I apologize for not being as detailed before and thank you for your response and patience.
XXXXXXX
Thank you for responding again. I'm concerned because when it started bleeding the flow was heavy and I thought it was clogging my eardrum so I swabbed inside with my little finger around a tee shirt to try to staunch the flow and it seemed to clear, promptly followed by it filling again. I hadn't realized the hearing was already gone and I did this procedure over and over many times to get the sensation of it clearing. It felt like when you get water in your ear. It would clear with a clicking sound then promptly clog again and now it feels clogged all the time, with ringing. Now I only swab out the drop that forms at the bottom of the outside of the canal every few hours and as I say it has slowed. But I'm wondering if by using my procedure I created more damage and that the clog is permanent because the hearing is nearly totally gone. I apologize for not being as detailed before and thank you for your response and patience.
XXXXXXX
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. If your ear is clogged, ringing and you have decreased hearing, you must get your ear examined by an ENT specialist as there is no substitute for direct examination. Get the PTA test done urgently.
2. Using your finger and cloth will not cause any permanent damage.
3. The best scenario given the circumstances is an intact ear drum, blood clot in the eternal ear canal and a conductive hearing loss. All this should heal completely without any active treatment.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for writing back.
1. If your ear is clogged, ringing and you have decreased hearing, you must get your ear examined by an ENT specialist as there is no substitute for direct examination. Get the PTA test done urgently.
2. Using your finger and cloth will not cause any permanent damage.
3. The best scenario given the circumstances is an intact ear drum, blood clot in the eternal ear canal and a conductive hearing loss. All this should heal completely without any active treatment.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your responses Dr. Bhatti. You have been very helpful and encouraging and I appreciate your staying up late for my queries.
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
Wish you a speedy recovery,
Regards.
Thank you for writing back.
Wish you a speedy recovery,
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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