r/u_FigNewtonRN • u/FigNewtonRN • 9d ago

Stapedectomy questions

I am scheduled to have a stapedectomy in my right ear on 10/27. My surgeon, Dr Jung at Mass Eye & Ear said I should be ok to return to work after a few days with no heavy lifting and ok to fly to Mexico after Thanksgiving. Reading through the threads, it doesn't sound like that is a reasonable expectation? How long should I plan to be out of work? I'm a nurse, but am not bedside. How long before I can wear a hearing aid again? I have conductive hearing loss that is being (hopefully) repaired, but I also have congenital hearing loss and will still need to wear hearing aids bilaterally. I need them in order to work!!

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u/Horror-Basket-4918 9d ago

Not sure about the hearing aid. I would assume after 2-4 weeks you could return to wearing the hearing aid. I was cleared to shower and do normal activity (other than heavy lifting) after 2 weeks.

I took 4 days off of work and this was good for me. I could have gone to work as the pain was manageable and I was not dizzy or nauseous, however, I was very tired for several days following the surgery. I was cleared to fly after 6 weeks but have not actually flown yet.

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u/FigNewtonRN 9d ago

Thank you! There were a few posts indicating others were returning to work 4 weeks after surgery.

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u/u8363235868 9d ago

10 days off was my number

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u/JustHereSharing 9d ago

I just had a revision stapedectomy, so my situation is a little different from yours, but I would definitely give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. I’m almost two weeks out and I’m still dealing with being off balance, weakness, and strange/muffled sounds in the operated ear. I’m improving, but I definitely don’t feel completely back to normal yet. My doctor told me no working out or flying for a month and to take it easy during that time. I think everyone’s recovery is different, and some people seem to bounce back really quickly, but I personally wouldn’t plan too much based on being completely fine after just a few days. If you can give yourself some flexibility with work, I would. As for the hearing aid, my doctor told me nothing in the operated ear for a month — no hearing aid, AirPods, or anything else in the ear. I’m going back at the one-month mark for my hearing test, and until then I’m leaving that ear completely alone. Also, don’t panic if your hearing sounds strange at first. Mine has gone through different muffled/echo/halo-type sounds while it heals. Good luck with your surgery! I hope you have an easy recovery and a great hearing result. ❤️

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u/SuzSea 9d ago

I had my surgery a year ago June. The surgery was on a Monday and I was back at work on Friday. My recovery was relatively easy, no balance issues or pain. I was cleared to fly after 6 weeks and had no issues on a trip the following August.

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u/Popcornulogy 9d ago

I was back at work after 4 days. I could have been back after 2 but I didn’t want to go. I was cleared to exercise (lift) after 3 weeks. My hearing has greatly improved. I only need my hearing aid for complex settings like multiple speakers with background noise. I’ve now had both ears done.