Direct trauma to the pinna and outer ear canal. A slap on the ear with an open hand or other things that put pressure on the ear can tear the eardrum. Ear infections. An infection of the middle ear or inner ear can cause pus or fluid to build up behind the eardrum. This can make the eardrum burst. Someone also might notice: drainage from the ear that can be clear, pus-like, or bloody hearing loss ringing or buzzing in the ear tinnitus dizziness or vertigo a feeling that the room is spinning that can cause nausea weakness in the muscles of the face Talk to a parent or call a doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a perforated eardrum.
Go to the emergency room right away if you have severe symptoms, such as: bloody discharge from your ear extreme pain total hearing loss in one ear dizziness that causes vomiting How Are Perforated Eardrums Diagnosed? A doctor will most likely: examine your ear canal with a lighted instrument called an otoscope do an audiology exam to see how well you hear at difference pitches and volumes take a sample of fluid from the ear to test for infection.
How Are Perforated Eardrums Treated? While the eardrum is healing, your doctor might suggest: taking over-the-counter pain relievers using antibiotics to prevent infections or treat any existing infections these could be given as a pill or as ear drops While your eardrum heals: Don't use over-the-counter ear drops unless your doctor tells you to. If there is a hole in the eardrum, some kinds of ear drops can get into the middle ear or cochlea and cause problems.
Avoid getting water inside the ear canal. Your doctor might recommend that you keep your ear dry during water activities to prevent infection. Gently place a waterproof earplug or cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly in your ear when you shower or take a bath. Don't clean your ear or forcefully blow your nose. Wait until the tear in your eardrum is completely healed. Can Perforated Eardrums Be Prevented? To make the chances of a rupture less likely: Try to avoid flying on airplanes if you have a cold or sinus infection.
If you have to fly, chew gum during takeoff and landing. You can also try to equalize the pressure in your ears by yawning or swallowing. Get lessons if you plan to go scuba diving.
Make sure you learn how to equalize the pressure in your ears. Before attempting any correction of the perforation, a hearing test should be performed. The benefits of closing a perforation include prevention of water entering the ear while showering, bathing, or swimming which could cause ear infection , improved hearing, and diminished tinnitus.
It also may prevent the development of cholesteatoma skin cyst in the middle ear , which can cause chronic infection and destruction of ear structures. If the perforation is very small, an otolaryngologist may choose to observe the perforation over time to see if it will close spontaneously. He or she might try to patch a patient's eardrum in the office. Working with a microscope, your doctor may touch the edges of the eardrum with a chemical to stimulate growth and then place a thin paper patch on the eardrum.
Usually with closure of the tympanic membrane, hearing is improved. Several applications of a patch up to three or four may be required before the perforation closes completely.
If your physician feels that a paper patch will not provide prompt or adequate closure of the hole in the eardrum, or if paper patching does not help, surgery may be required.
There are a variety of surgical techniques, but most involve grafting skin tissue across the perforation to allow healing. The name of this procedure is called tympanoplasty. Surgery is typically quite successful in repairing the perforation, restoring or improving hearing, and is often done on an outpatient basis.
Perforated Eardrum Insight into ear injuries What is a perforated eardrum? The tip of this goes into your ear, but it only goes in a little way and should not hurt. Perforated eardrums do not always need to be treated because they often get better by themselves within a few weeks. While it heals, the following tips can help you relieve your symptoms and reduce the chances of your ear becoming infected:.
If you have an ear infection caused by a perforated eardrum, a GP may prescribe antibiotics. If the hole in your eardrum is big, or does not heal in a few weeks, the GP may refer you to an ear specialist to talk about having surgery to repair a perforated eardrum. Find out more about flying if you have a perforated eardrum.
Page last reviewed: 11 February Next review due: 11 February
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