How to Sleep with a Ruptured Eardrum: Best Positions & Care Tips for Pain Relief
Having a ruptured eardrum can cause pain and disrupt your sleep. Wondering which side to sleep on or how to ease the discomfort? This guide covers the best sleeping positions, symptoms, causes, and practical home care tips to help you rest better and heal faster.
Best Sleep Positions for a Ruptured Eardrum
If only one ear is affected, try sleeping on your back or on the opposite side with the injured ear facing up. This helps reduce pressure and allows any doctor-prescribed ear drops to work effectively.
If both ears are affected, sleeping with your head elevated on pillows can help reduce ear pressure and improve comfort.
Common Symptoms of a Ruptured Eardrum
- Sharp or sudden ear pain
- Fluid (clear, bloody, or yellow) draining from the ear
- Partial hearing loss
- Ringing or buzzing sounds
- Dizziness or brief spinning sensation
What Causes a Ruptured Eardrum?
- Middle ear infections causing pressure buildup
- Rapid pressure changes from flying, diving, or altitude
- Injury from objects like cotton swabs or trauma
- Loud noises, suction, explosions, or lightning strikes
Home Care Tips for HealingĀ
- Keep the ear dry; use cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly when showering
- Apply a warm compress to ease pain
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Never insert objects into the ear canal
- Avoid flying or diving until fully healed
Improve Sleep Quality with Better Breathing
Ear pain can interfere with restful sleep, especially if you breathe through your mouth at night. Using Awesome Mouth Tape gently encourages nasal breathing, reducing dry mouth and helping you sleep deeper even during recovery.
When to See a Doctor
See a healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
- Severe dizziness or balance problems
- Major hearing loss or difficulty hearing speech
- Fever, nausea, or vomiting
- Continued fluid or blood draining from the ear
- Head or neck injury
- Objects stuck in the ear
Most ruptured eardrums heal naturally, but some cases may require medical treatment or surgery.
Summary
To ease pain and promote healing, sleep on your back or the side opposite your injured ear, keep your ear dry, and avoid pressure changes like flying. If mouth breathing disrupts your rest, consider using Awesome Mouth Tape for better sleep and comfort.
