Ruptured Eardrum: Pain, Hearing Loss & Recovery

Question
How often would pain be encountered when a diver has ruptured an ear drum? Can deafness occur?

Answer
Hello Stewart.  I'm not a physician and thus I don't feel fully qualified to answer your question.  Pain will be encountered especially when it has first ruptured.  It will generally heal in a few weeks and should be attended to by an ENT doctor.  You should not dive until healed and cleared by a doctor.  Hearing loss is usually temporary.  If you have a ruptured ear drum due to diving or if you are wanting to dive I strongly recommend seeing an ENT.  If you ruptured your eardrum while diving I recommend working directly with an instructor to review your ear equalization skills.  Good luck.