The year didn't begin how I wanted it to.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (52985)
January 2, 2026 9:04pm CST
We all have dreams of a better year. Never have I ever heard so many people say they were ready for a good year than this year. I started out with positivity and the best of intentions to make 2026 a really good year!
I couldn't sleep the last two nights hardly at all. I had an earache, and it was just a dull sort of ache, I chalked it up to cold weather and took some Tylenol. But by 5 AM today, my ear had a heartbeat all its own. The pain was so bad...so I called a friend to come over when the son woke up and went to the ER. It was still busy from the night before but what choice did I have, right? I thought, this isn't a good idea...I will be here all day. The little nurse came in and a doctor. He looked in my ear and said ''OUCH!!'' My eardrum was busted for the umpteenth time. I was so mad. I wore a hat, I do everything, and this still happens every few years. The other ear has had a surgical patch that required a regular surgery and a general anesthesia. It has worked out well, no hearing loss and no more problems.
After some discussion with another doctor, they came back and said that it could be repaired by a patch made with a gel and of all things, a type of heavy paper (very tiny piece) and other than numbing it, I wouldn't have to go through the big surgery. Before I knew it, I was in a little surgical suite and they were fixing my ear. And guess what? It WORKED. And, by some miracle, I can still hear fine out of both ears. This method of repair was so much easier and faster. I asked why it wasn't done this way before, and the doctor said that this one wasn't as torn as the other one was when it blew. This one could be patched and it should hold.
I am so happy that it wasn't worse. Not sure how I would have managed it to have to be the patient right now rather than the caregiver. Not right now, anyway!
So here I am, all patched up!! Only no patch, just some packing in it. Yay!
19 people like this
17 responses
@crossbones27 (51914)
• Mojave, California
3 Jan
How come your ear drums busts like that? I know I had major ear aches when I was a kid, They are very painful. They told my parents, he is growing and body parts do weird things sometimes. They also said he is so young and immune system is not as strong as it will be when gets older. Things will attack things where its easiest for them to get, what ever that means to a 5 year old, but remember them saying stuff like that. The rest was all technical I did not understand.
I get ringing in my ears sometimes, I think it was my time in military firing loud weapons and working in a loud manufacturing plant for 10 years, but its just once in a blue moon. My hearing is great compared to most people after all the tests they said, but getting older who knows what will happen and why they usually do hearing tests every year. I hope they fixed you and makes your life better.
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
The first one, the one that was finally fixed by general surgery, happened due to a car accident I was in. I can't explain the second ear, it burst about 5 years ago when I was on an airplane trip to see my daughter when she had surgery. And it's been an off and on thing for that ear now for several years. Evidently, it's sensitive to altitude and cold air, according to the ear doc.
I am sorry your ears ring sometimes. I am so lucky that mine don't, and that I don't have hearing loss. For now, other than a dull ache, it's tons better and I am very happy! Thanks so much.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (51914)
• Mojave, California
3 Jan
@MarieCoyle That is true, I think that is just what happens to many things. Once something happens it is weakened structurally. Unless, its like a bacteria thing or viral thing.As long as they do not attack something structural, your body understands what the problem is and can go knock those fools out. 
Your immune system cannot go and repair structural damage, it would be nice, but its good you have no hearing loss and its awesome you back to your true self. 
Your immune system cannot go and repair structural damage, it would be nice, but its good you have no hearing loss and its awesome you back to your true self. 2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
@crossbones27
I feel very fortunate that no permanent damage occurred!! And also, no surgery requiring a general anesthesia. Thank you so much.
@Deepizzaguy (117015)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
3 Jan
Congratulations on getting your hearing working once again.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (117015)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Jan
@MarieCoyle You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
@Deepizzaguy
I didn't have any trouble hearing, it was just painful. Thank you, George.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (201024)
• United States
3 Jan
Hmm, never heard of an ear drum spontaneously erupting. What causes it? Glad everything is fixed now.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (201024)
• United States
4 Jan
@MarieCoyle Yeah, that would have been awful.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
The problem some people have with eardrums doing this is once it happens, it likes to happen all over again when you least expect it to. I am just thankful it wasn't a long, drawn out ordeal. Thank you, Snowy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
4 Jan
@snowy22315
And...''I ain't got time for that!'' Nope.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
I am extremely thankful that I went when I did. Thank you, Anna.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (490164)
• Italy
4 Jan
@MarieCoyle - I know that sometimes we are reluctant to go to the urgent care, but often it's the best thing to do.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
5 Jan
@LadyDuck
I hate going. But since I’ve had this happen before, I knew I had to.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368577)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jan
@MarieCoyle My ears itch like crazy sometimes. I don't know what causes it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
4 Jan
Unfortunately, as we age I have discovered that we just do not heal as fast on our own as we used to. I tried to wait one of these ear things out one time years ago..it ended up with a massive infection requiring a stay in the hospital and a ton of IV antibiotics, etc...so you can bet when it does happen, I hike myself off to the ER as soon as possible.
Both bursting so close together had to be really hard and painful for you, Judy. I can truly sympathize that it just isn't fun.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
5 Jan
@JudyEv
I am thankful not to have that problem, and sorry that you do.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3837)
• India
3 Jan
That was not a perfect start to 2026, it is a scary start to 2026.The ear pain is very bad. It is not something to take lightly. It came on quickly and that must have been scary for you. We all ignore ear pain when it is cold weather. Normally we all do the same. But then you were smart to the emergency room even though you knew you would have to wait a time. It was better safe than to be in a treatment mode. The ear pain and the trip, to the emergency room were definitely a lot to handle. It is natural to get upset when the doctor does that. You tried to avoid the surgery in the best possible way. But then it is great to know the doctors found a better way without cutting open. Good to know the surgery was successful and your hearing is intact. You have every reason to be grateful that it wasn’t worse and didn’t require a long recovery. I would still say things went better and not bad. Take care!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
Since I had the issue before, but not nearly as painful, I wasn't scared. I was just glad to have it surgically repaired without the major deal of surgery, and it truly was not nearly as traumatic. Plus, I don't do well with a general anesthesia, it usually makes me sick for several days, so I was glad not to have to do that. Thanks so much!
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3837)
• India
3 Jan
@MarieCoyle Glad to har that. Take care Marie!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (167123)
• United States
4 Jan
I am thankful it was not a full surgery and that they were able to do this quick patch.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
4 Jan
I am so thankful for that patch method fix, and not being kept in the hospital. Not sure how I would have managed that right now. Thanks, Heather.
@celticeagle (184032)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jan
Darn! I hope this other ear doesn't have any hearing loss or problems. Glad the gel worked. I hope the packing works out for you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
4 Jan
It’s all patched up and feels so much better. I’m sorry about your mother’s hearing. I know I am very fortunate not to have hearing loss.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (81610)
• United States
3 Jan
Ick, I’m so sorry you had (and have) to go through that. I’m glad it was easily resolved, though.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
Oh, so am I! Not complaining, but my plate is full enough right now. Thank you so much!
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (53997)
• United States
3 Jan
The medical technology these days is amazing. Glad they got it repaired.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (127491)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Jan
Very glad they could fix it so easily.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
4 Jan
Oh, so was I.
The ER was requiring masks when I was there--for everyone. The flue is horrible here. I came home and changed clothes and cleaned up, I really, really don't want that nasty flu!
I am very thankful it didn't require the surgery the one did before. Thanks, Eva.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (92576)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Jan
Glad you were patched up and many blessings to you,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
It feels much better. The patch method is definitely a great alternative to surgery if the tear in the eardrum isn't terrible. I am very thankful for it. No time to be sick around here, haha! Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (210006)
• United States
3 Jan
Yikes! Scary stuff. I'm glad they were able to patch it; and you feel OK.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
It’s definitely not a fun thing. I am like everyone else, I hate being sick. But it appears that I caught it in time, I am very thankful. Thank you, Amber.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (87694)
• United States
5 Jan
Wow not a great way for your year to start but it's really amazing how they were able to fix it and you can hear fine. Thank goodness it was fixable and hopefully the rest of the year goes smoothly for you.
@MarieCoyle (52985)
•
3 Jan
I am glad, too. I hate general anesthesia with a passion, I get so sick from it. Thanks so much, Lenore!
1 person likes this
