Gardener left deaf in one ear after twig burst eardrum

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Gym owner Mike Watson, 56, was cutting the grass when he brushed past a bush and a protruding branch poked into his right ear.

The branch burst the eardrum and broke three bones in his inner ear, knocking him unconscious.

Unlucky: Mike Watson was mowing his lawn when a twig from a bush flicked into his ear drum, leaving him deaf in one ear

Mr Watson, of Taunton in Somerset, was home alone while his wife and children were away for the weekend, but he managed to crawl indoors and phone 999.

He was taken to hospital with a four-inch piece of branch still stuck in his ear but is now permanently deaf on one side despite emergency surgery.

He said: 'It was horrific and there was a loud popping sound when it went inside. After that it was a total blackout.

'The doctor said it was a billion-to-one chance and the worst ear damage he'd ever seen.

'I have been using a walking stick to get around because the loss of hearing has affected my balance. It will be a long hard road back to fitness.'