Patient's question:
I like to clean my ears; I do it whenever I can. Last week, after cleaning my ears, I went for a bath. Everything was fine after the bath, but the next day, my left ear started hurting. After checking at the hospital, the doctor said it was inflamed. They put some medicine in my ear, and now it's better. But I've noticed that my left ear's hearing isn't as good as it used to be—is it possible that my eardrum is broken? I've been treated at Xin Yi Hospital, but after the treatment, my hearing has declined. I've been treated at Xin Yi Hospital, but after the treatment, my hearing has declined.Doctor's answer:
In your case, it might be due to damage to the eardrum, likely resulting from purulent otitis media. Over time, the eardrum may have deteriorated. You can have a hearing test done—if the inner ear function is good, treating the inflammation could allow for a eardrum repair surgery, which would then restore your hearing. If it still doesn't work, I strongly recommend you seek a comprehensive examination from a professional medical institution. Don't let a small issue lead to bigger problems.