Swimming with a burst eardrum

Ok, here is the story

I signed up for the London triathlon back in October and it is in 2 weeks, i have spent countless hours in the pool, on the turbo and out running to train for this. Today using one of those DIY Otex ear kits I have burst my eardrum.

With the Tri In 2 weeks and me still needing last minute training what can I do?? Does anyone here have any experience of swimming with a perforated eardrum and successfully keeping the water out?

I am off to the GP tomorrow but I have pretty much decided that I am going to do the Tri regardless, and am planning on a combination of Silicon outer ear ear plugs, an “ear bandit” strap, and a swimming hat to keep the water out.

Any advice from people more knowledgeable than myself?

Thanks
Steve

Dont do it. You’ll get water on the brain. 😉

I know someone who had mastoiditis spread to their brain. It’s a tiny risk but I wouldn’t take it.

Dont do it. You’ll get water on the brain.

Easy fixed with a quick tap on the head.

I used to swim a lot when I was a kid…

Needed grommets (surgically made long lasting perforations to help glue ear), didn’t want to stop swimming so ended up getting moulds made by the ENT department then using cotton wool, Vaseline and then these moulds under a swim cap.

Whether this would happen on the NHS on the timescale you need though? I’m not sure. Not sure but it might have been the audiology dept that made the moulds like they do for hearing aids. Or get made privately?

One of my friends is deaf in one ear from an infection caused by water getting past a perforated ear drum. Whatever you do, make sure your solution is 100% watertight!