Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 3/16/2009

Question
I just want to know if this sounds like a ruptured eardrum.

Last night (Sunday) I went swimming and I was about 7 feet underwater when I was getting ready to equalize the pressure in my ears, when in my right ear, I heard a loud crack, and then felt a rush of water into my ear.

I got my head out of the water, and it felt fine, and the water just ran right out.

I continued swimming and experimented with putting my head under again, (just until the top of my head was submerged) and I felt a sharp pain in the ear. My ears- when submerged underwater have some way to keep the water out, like an air bubble or something, but this ear, that time was like putting a cup into the water sideways- it just rushed right in, and then trickled out.

I decided that I had had enough. The pain was almost unbearable but faded away quickly. I climbed out of the pool and felt a little dizzy (not really dizzy though)

I went to sleep, expecting to find my pillow a bloody mess in the morning, but it was clean.

Today (Monday) I have a weird feeling in my ear. It hurts- but its like a dull achy pain inside my ear towards the back. My ear feels kind-of like the way someone does just before they shiver because of a temperature change in the room.  
I am not noticing any hearing loss. Just a sensitivity to loud noises.
I am thinking that I will go to the doctors if I get an ear infection- pus, fever and or a headache, or if my ear feels the same way after 2 weeks.  

Answer
Hi Joe,
I think you should not wait the two weeks.  You are experiencing pain, dizziness, sensitivity to loud noises...why wait and take the chance that it can get worse?  

It could be a perforation, it could also be an inner ear fistula, or it could be something else. These conditions require immediate attention otherwise you run the risk of permanent damage.

Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology