Is there a link between CSF Leak and perforated ear drums?
This title probably sounds a bit random, but I’m just wondering if these events are related.
Basically, I (26F) have been on bed rest since Jan 5th from a suspected CSF leak. My first mri is on Monday. Last Wednesday I developed a chest infection and have been seriously unwell with a very bad cough, sore throat, temperature, runny nose etc. On Saturday night, I was lying in bed when I suddenly went deaf. The next morning my ears started leaking blood and pus etc and it was decided I had somehow perforated both my ear drums.
Now, this is possible from a very severe illness (mainly blowing your nose a lot is the culprit), but it is very uncommon and even more uncommon to perforate both. Plus, I wasn’t actually doing anything at the time of perforation, it just happened. I do have a connective tissue disorder which would make me more prone but it still just seems like a very odd thing to have happen.
I’m just starting to wonder, since hearing issues are a symptom of a CSF leak, could the perforations be linked in some way? Or is it just a really unfortunate and totally unrelated coincidence? Any thoughts/theories are welcome, I might be focusing on something completely irrelevant haha.
Posted Mar 4, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC