Does myringotomy hurt?

Depends: A myringotomy or tympanostomy in an adult is usually done under local anesthesia. However if the surgeon elects not to inject a local anesthetic, it will definitively hurt for a few seconds. In children this procedure is almost always performed under general anesthesia. If there is fluid in the middle ear, local anesthesia in an adult in really needed.

Doesnt Have To: I typically use a topical phenol solution that can be uncomfortable for a few seconds but then abates. It is applied to the tympanic membrane with a tiny sponge. After the phenol has been applied correctly, the myringotomy can be done and patients rarely feel anything. It's a very quick procedure and can be quite beneficial when medically therapy has failed.