Travel Insurance for a Burst or Perforated Eardrum

What is a burst or perforated eardrum?

Your eardrum is a thin layer of tissue between the ear canal and the middle ear. A perforated eardrum, often called a burst eardrum, is when that layer gets a hole or tear in it. It sits among the ear, nose and throat conditions people ask us about, and it’s usually caused by a middle ear infection, a knock to the ear, a very loud noise or a sudden change in pressure, for example when flying or diving.

Typical signs are sudden hearing loss in one ear, earache, ringing or buzzing, and sometimes fluid leaking from the ear. Most perforations heal by themselves within a few weeks to a couple of months. If one doesn’t, a small operation called a myringoplasty can repair it. The NHS perforated eardrum page explains the symptoms and treatment in more detail.

Why do I need to declare a perforated eardrum for travel insurance?

A burst eardrum often heals by itself, but while it’s recent, still healing or being followed up, it counts as a pre-existing medical condition. It needs declaring because a damaged eardrum can become infected, especially if water gets in, and flying with an ear that hasn’t healed can be painful. If you’re waiting for an operation to repair it, the dates could clash with your trip. If you leave it off your policy when it should have been declared, an ear-related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with a perforated eardrum?

Often, yes. Because a burst eardrum usually heals and then stops being a problem, the questions are mostly about timing. A perforation that healed months ago with no further trouble is a different picture from one that keeps recurring, one where you’re waiting for surgery or one that has left you with ongoing infections, and that history shapes whether it can be covered.

What we’ll ask about your perforated eardrum

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your perforated eardrum, whether it has healed and if surgery has been suggested. When you’re done declaring this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

After the declaration, you’ll be taken to the quote page. You’ll be shown a list of quotes if your perforated eardrum and your other conditions are coverable, and each premium includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we’re unable to offer cover, you’ll be told before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Ears can change quickly. If the eardrum perforates again, you start new treatment, you’re referred to a specialist, or you’re given a date for surgery before you travel, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover. A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can perforated eardrum travel insurance cover?

When the condition has been accepted, a problem with that ear abroad can be dealt with like any other medical emergency. Say the ear becomes badly infected on a trip to Portugal and you need to see a doctor and take antibiotics: emergency medical treatment can be covered, and so can bringing you home with medical help if that’s needed. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If the eardrum bursts just before you leave and you’re advised not to travel, cancellation cover may help you get back non-refundable costs.

A policy won’t pay for ear surgery you plan to have abroad, or for anything to do with an ear problem you didn’t declare. Check the policy wording for the full list of what’s excluded.

Will a perforated eardrum affect the cost of travel insurance?

A perforated eardrum might affect what you pay. It depends on your answers to our online medical screening, where you could be asked how the ear has been treated and how well any infections are controlled. Standard factors such as your age, the country you’re visiting and how long you’ll stay also play a part. The price comes up before you buy, so there are no surprises later.

Single trip or annual cover with a perforated eardrum

For a single holiday, single trip cover keeps things simple. Several trips a year may be cheaper on annual multi-trip cover. Whether annual cover is offered with your ear declared depends on your screening result.

Travelling with a perforated eardrum: practical tips

The points below are general advice to help you look after your ear. They are not part of your insurance cover.

Water is the main thing to watch. Until the eardrum has healed, water getting into the middle ear can lead to infection. That means no swimming, and some care in the shower. A cotton wool ball coated in petroleum jelly, placed gently in the outer ear, is a common way to keep it dry. Ask your GP or ENT team when it’s safe to swim again.

Flying with an ear that is still healing is something to raise with your GP or specialist before the trip. Pressure changes on take-off and landing can be uncomfortable, and they may want to look at the ear first. Yawning, swallowing or sucking a sweet during descent can ease the pressure, and it helps to avoid flying with a heavy cold.

Scuba diving is a definite no until a specialist says the eardrum is fully healed. Even then, divers with a history of perforation are usually advised to get proper clearance before going back underwater. Snorkelling at the surface still involves water in the ears, so leave it until you’ve had the all clear.

Some simple things to pack and do:

1. take any ear drops or antibiotics you’ve been prescribed, in your hand luggage
2. pack earplugs or a swimming headband for when you’re cleared to go back in the water
3. blow your nose gently, as hard blowing puts pressure on the eardrum
4. get the ear checked locally if you notice discharge, a fever or worsening pain

If you’ve had repeated ear infections along with the perforation, or ringing that hasn’t gone away (see our tinnitus page), mention those in the screening too.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, answer the questions about your ear and any other conditions, then choose your cover. The price is shown before you pay.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Eye,Ear,Nose,Throat Pages

• Burst or Perforated Eardrum Travel Insurance
• Cataracts Travel Insurance
• Conjunctivitis Travel Insurance
• Ear Infection Travel Insurance
• Meniere's Disease Travel Insurance
• Retinopathy Travel Insurance
• Sinusitis Travel Insurance
• Tinnitus Travel Insurance
• Tonsillitis Travel Insurance
• Vertigo Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.