Private Eardrum Repair (Tympanoplasty/ Myringiotomy)

Eardrum repair surgery is a set of operations that fix problems with your eardrum so sound can travel properly again and the middle ear is easier to keep healthy. The eardrum is a thin tissue that vibrates when sound hits it. If it has a hole, is badly scarred, or keeps trapping fluid, you can get hearing loss, pressure, or repeat infections.

There are two main procedures your ENT might use:

• Tympanoplasty: This is true “patch and repair” surgery. The surgeon uses a small piece of your own tissue (a graft) to close a hole or rebuild a damaged eardrum, and sometimes checks or adjusts the tiny hearing bones behind it.
• Myringiotomy: This is a tiny, controlled slit made in the eardrum to drain fluid or relieve pressure. Often, a small tube is placed in the opening to let air in and fluid out over time.

Both are done through the ear canal or very small cuts, and the goal is better hearing and a healthier middle ear.

Shorter wait times

Public ENT and ear‑surgery wait lists can be long—especially for adults with “non‑urgent” hearing or drainage issues.

Private clinics can often:

• Book an assessment within weeks, not months
• Offer a surgery date much sooner

That means less time dealing with:

• Ongoing ear drainage or infections
• Hearing loss that affects school, work, or driving safety
• Constant pressure, fullness, or ringing in the ear

Choice and control

Going private lets you:

• Choose a surgeon based on:
  • Tympanoplasty volume
  • Experience with chronic perforations, revision cases, and ear tubes
• Plan timing around exams and school terms, travel or busy work periods, sports seasons, music performances, or flight schedules.

Peace of mind

• You know who will operate, what they’ll do (full repair vs tube, one ear vs both), and when.
• Clear info about:
  • Anaesthesia
  • Time off school/work
  • Follow‑up visits and hearing checks

This helps your family organize rides, time off, and support.

Preventing further decline

• Hearing and balance: Ongoing perforations or middle‑ear fluid can worsen hearing and make it harder to follow class, conversations, or instructions.
• Infections: A constantly open or poorly ventilated ear is more prone to repeated infections and drainage.
• Complexity later: The longer the eardrum and middle ear stay unhealthy, the more scarring and damage can build up, which may make later repair more involved.
• Mental load: Having a firm plan and date reduces the stress of “just living with it,” repeated drops/antibiotics, and worrying about every new earache.

1. Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that surgery is advisable, but your ENT surgeon can also confirm if needed
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2. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in eardrum repair  surgery.
   • You can find ENT surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
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3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most ENT surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
   • We recommend booking 2-4 consultations with different surgeons to better compare your options.
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

How long it takes

For eardrum repair surgery, timing depends on what’s being done:

• Myringiotomy (with or without tubes): often around 10–30 minutes
• Tympanoplasty (true eardrum “patch” repair): usually about 45–90 minutes

For either one, you’ll spend extra time at the surgical centre for:

• Check‑in
• Anaesthesia
• Recovery in the post‑anaesthesia care unit (PACU) before you go home

Most cases are same‑day surgeries.

Basic steps – eardrum repair (tympanoplasty‑focused)

1. Check‑in and review
   • You meet the nurse and anaesthesia team.
   • The surgeon reviews which ear they’re fixing, what type of repair (graft vs tube), and any extra work (checking the tiny hearing bones).
2. Anaesthesia
   • Many tympanoplasties are done under general anaesthesia, so you’re fully asleep.
   • Smaller myringiotomy/tube procedures may sometimes use lighter anaesthesia or sedation, depending on age and setting.
3. Position and prep
   • You lie on your back or side so the surgeon can clearly see the ear.
   • The ear and area around it are cleaned; sterile drapes are placed.
4. Access the eardrum
   • The surgeon uses a microscope to magnify the eardrum.
   • They may go through the ear canal or make a small cut just behind or above the ear to reach the eardrum and middle ear.
5. Fix the problem
   • For tympanoplasty:
     • A small piece of tissue (graft) is taken, often from just above/behind the ear.
     • The graft is placed to patch or rebuild the eardrum hole.
     • The surgeon may also inspect or adjust the tiny hearing bones if needed.
   • For myringiotomy/tubes:
     • A tiny slit is made in the eardrum.
     • Fluid is gently suctioned out.
     • A small tube might be placed to keep air flowing.
6. Pack and check
   • Soft packing or gel may be placed in the ear canal to support the graft or tube.
   • The surgeon double‑checks that everything is positioned properly.
7. Wake‑up and instructions
   • You wake in the PACU while nurses monitor you.
   • Before you leave, you (and your family) get instructions about:
     • Ear drops
     • Keeping the ear dry
     • Activity limits and follow‑up visits

Once you’re stable, you go home the same day in most routine cases.

Every ear is different, so your surgeon’s plan always comes first.

In general, what to expect after eardrum repair

(Tympanoplasty or myringiotomy/tubes)

Days 1–3

Reality check: sore, blocked, and a bit weird.

How it feels

• Ear pain or ache on the surgery side (sometimes felt in the jaw or temple)
• Fullness, pressure, or “plugged” feeling in the ear
• Muffled hearing or echoing on that side
• Tired, maybe a bit dizzy or off‑balance at times

Goals

• Keep pain controlled
• Protect the ear and the repair
• Start gentle movement without making yourself dizzy

What you’ll be doing

• Taking pain meds as prescribed
• Resting with your head slightly elevated
• Keeping the ear dry (no showers directly over it, no swimming)
• Avoiding nose‑blowing and big pressure changes (no hard sniffing, no flying unless cleared)

Days 4–10

The “still annoying but slowly better” phase.

How it feels

• Ear still feels blocked or “underwater,” but pain usually eases
• Occasional crackling, popping, or slight fluid feeling
• Mild blood‑tinged or yellowish drainage from the ear canal is common if there’s packing

Goals

• Let the eardrum begin to seal and heal
• Avoid infection and pressure spikes

What you’ll be doing

• Using ear drops exactly as instructed (if prescribed)
• Still protecting the ear from water (cotton with Vaseline or ear shield in the shower if told to)
• Avoiding heavy lifting, straining, or hard blowing of your nose
• Short, easy walks and normal light activities as you feel up to it

Days 11–21

The “turning the corner” phase.

How it feels

• Most pain is gone; you might notice mild itching as things heal
• Fullness and muffled hearing often slowly improve, especially after packing is removed
• You feel more “balanced” moving around

Goals

• Finish the main healing of the eardrum
• Gradually get back to normal routine

What you’ll be doing

• Going to follow‑up so your surgeon can check the graft or tube and clear any packing
• Returning to school or light work if not already back
• Still avoiding swimming and major pressure changes until you’re cleared

Full hearing improvement can take weeks to a few months, depending on how damaged things were before and what was done inside.

Red flags—call your care team or go to ER

Any time after surgery, get help if you notice:

• Sudden, strong increase in ear pain or deep headache
• Thick, foul‑smelling pus or large amount of fresh blood from the ear
• High fever or feeling very unwell
• New or worsening dizziness, vomiting, or trouble walking straight
• Facial weakness (one side of your face droops or won’t move normally)

Exact prices depend on your age, how complex the ear problem is (size of perforation, infection, previous surgeries), clinic location, and OR time. Always ask for a written, itemized quote.

In Canada, private clinics charge:

• Myringiotomy:  $3,500–$5,000+
• Tympanoplasty: $4,000–$9,000+

In the United States, you can expect to pay:

• Myringiotomy: CA$4,100–$10,000+
• Tympanoplasty:  CA$4,100–$10,000+

What’s usually included in the cost?

(Confirm each clinic’s policy and ask them to itemize)

Typically included:

• Surgeon fee (ENT)
• Anaesthesia services
• Accredited facility/OR time, nursing staff, standard disposables and instruments
• Use of operating microscope and basic ear equipment
• Immediate recovery care in the PACU (post‑anaesthesia care unit)
• One or a few short post‑op visits within a set “global” period

What’s often not included

• Initial consult visit and extra tests (hearing tests, imaging) done elsewhere
• Add‑ons:
  • Tubes plus tympanoplasty
  • Work on the tiny hearing bones
  • Revision surgery
• Extra OR time beyond the booked block, or unplanned overnight stay/admission
• Prescriptions after discharge (pain meds, ear drops, antibiotics)
• Additional follow‑up visits beyond what’s in the bundle
• Travel and accommodation if you’re coming from another province/state

Tips to compare quotes

• Ask if it’s a global bundle (surgeon + facility + anaesthesia) or separate bills.
• Get line items for myringiotomy/tubes vs tympanoplasty, plus follow‑ups.
• Check policies for cancellations, rescheduling, and extra fees if the surgery runs longer or needs extra procedures.

Choosing your own surgeon is one of the biggest perks of going private. Here's how to choose wisely.

What to look for

Experience and volume

• Ask how many eardrum repairs they do each year:
  • Tympanoplasties (true eardrum patch/repair)
  • Myringiotomies/tubes
  • Revision or difficult ear surgeries
• Higher volume with routine same‑day pathways usually means smoother care and fewer complications.

Credentials and training

• Verify licensure with your provincial college:
  • CPSO (Ontario), CPSBC (BC), CPSA (Alberta), CMQ (Québec), etc.
• Look for FRCSC‑certified Otolaryngologists (ENT specialists).
• If tiny hearing bones (ossicles) or more complex middle‑ear work are involved, ask about specific training/experience in otology (ear surgery).

Outcomes and safety

Ask for recent data, such as:

• Graft “take” rate (how often the eardrum repair fully seals)
• Infection and readmission rates
• How often patients need revision surgery
• Any special protocols for kids vs adults

Good clinics talk about numbers, not just “don’t worry, it’s safe.”

Indications and alternatives

Make sure they’ve gone over non‑surgical options:

• Watchful waiting for small, symptom‑free perforations
• Ear‑drop treatment and water precautions
• Hearing aids as an option if hearing loss is the main issue

Clear reasons for surgery (hearing loss, repeat infections, constant drainage, trouble keeping the ear dry) = better chance you’ll be happy with the result.

Surgical plan and techniques

Ask things like:

• Are you planning tympanoplasty, tubes, or both? Why that combo for me?
• Will you go through the ear canal only, or use a small cut behind the ear?
• Will you also check or repair the hearing bones if they look damaged?
• What type of graft material do you usually use, and why?

Facility accreditation

• Confirm the clinic or surgical centre is accredited (Accreditation Canada, CAAASF).
• Check they have:
  • Proper ENT microscopes and ear instruments
  • Qualified anaesthesia coverage
  • A clear plan and agreement for hospital transfer if something serious happens

After‑care integration

Look for:

• Written after‑care with:
  • Ear‑drop schedule
  • Bathing/swimming rules
  • Activity and flying/pressure limits
  • Red‑flag symptoms
• Clear timing for follow‑up visits and hearing tests
• A reachable post‑op contact (phone or email) for questions about pain, drainage, or dizziness
• Willingness to share notes and audiograms with your family doctor or audiologist

Pricing transparency

Ask for an itemized quote that separates:

• Surgeon fee
• Facility/OR fee
• Anaesthesia
• Planned follow‑up visits

Clarify possible extras:

• Tubes plus tympanoplasty in the same ear
• Work on the ossicles (hearing bones)
• Extra OR time if the case is more complex than expected
• Overnight stay if needed

Questions to ask during your eardrum repair consultation

Surgeon and plan

• How many tympanoplasties and myringiotomy/tube surgeries do you perform yearly, and how many are like mine?
• What is your approximate success rate for the eardrum fully healing and hearing improving?
• Are you planning a tympanoplasty, tubes, or both? Why that choice for me?

Anaesthesia and logistics

• Will I have general anaesthesia?
• Is this definitely same‑day surgery, or could I need an overnight stay?
• How long will I be in the recovery area before going home?

Recovery and after‑care

• Rough timeline to:
  • Go back to school/desk work
  • Fly, swim, or do sports
• How long do I need to keep the ear totally dry?
• Who do I call after hours if I’m worried about pain, drainage, or dizziness?
• How many follow‑up visits and hearing tests are included?

Costs and documentation (if private)

• What’s included in my quote (surgeon, facility, anaesthesia, first follow‑ups)?
• What could add cost (extra procedures, longer OR time, overnight stay)?
• Will I receive an operative note and updated hearing test to share with my family doctor/audiologist?

Signs of a high‑quality eardrum surgery program

• Uses accredited facilities and standard safety checklists
• Shares graft success and revision rates honestly
• Gives clear, written after‑care instructions and easy access for questions
• Offers transparent, itemized pricing with clear inclusion/exclusion lists
• Explains options and risks in plain language and encourages you (and your family) to ask anything