Generally, the patient can return home within two to three hours. Antibiotics are given along with a mild pain reliever such as Tylenol or Tylenol with Codeine. Water is kept away from the ear and blowing of the nose is discouraged. If there are allergies or a cold, further antibiotics and decongestant should be given. Most individuals can return to work after five or six days unless they perform heavy physical labor, in which case the patient can return after two or three weeks.
Children can return to school in one or two days.
Generally the activity level should be decreased, with team sports and recess suspended for one month. In over 90 percent of cases, the tympanoplasty procedure is successful and a hearing test is performed about two months after the operation. Failure of tympanoplasty can occur either from an immediate infection during the healing period, from water getting into the ear, or from displacement of the graft after surgery. After three to four months, water can be allowed to enter the ear and the patient can even return to swimming. If ossicular reconstruction is necessary in the tympanoplasty, then an overnight stay is sometimes recommended.