hello, i have had a painful ear for 6 days now, and the Dr told me 4 days ago that the eardrum was perforated. i am taking some anti biotic ear drops to help but the pain is continuous unless i take ibuprofen 2 or 3 x a day , and in between paracetamol.. First,how else can i alleviate the pain( heat, salt in a hot sock.) ?, and second should i not use loud building tools as i am renovating a house,could this cause more trauma or does this not matter ?Thank you in advance Jim. This is my query !!!