On this page, you will find everything you are looking for regarding a perforated eardrum.
What Is a Perforated Eardrum?
A perforated eardrum, is a hole or opening in the eardrum usually resulting from ear infections, trauma, medical interventions, or other causes. It typically heals within a few weeks and may not require any treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of a Perforated Eardrum?
The signs of a perforated eardrum or an ear infection resulting from a perforated eardrum include:
Sudden hearing loss: You may find it difficult to hear anything, or your hearing may be slightly muffled.
Pain in your ear.
Itching in your ear.
Fluid leakage from your ear.
Fever.
Ringing or buzzing in your ear (tinnitus).
What Causes a Perforated Eardrum?
A perforation in the eardrum can occur due to:
Ear infections and inflammations.
Eardrum injury, such as a blow to the ear or poking with a deep object like a cotton swab.
Pressure changes, such as those during flying or diving.
Sudden loud noises, like an explosion.
How Is It Diagnosed?
The doctor will take the medical history and conduct a clinical examination, and may request additional procedures as needed, such as:
Conducting a hearing test to measure how well you hear different sound levels.
If there is fluid leaking from the ear, a sample of the fluid may be tested in the lab. This can help doctors determine the best antibiotic to treat the infection.
What are the Treatment Methods for a Perforated Eardrum?
The eardrum usually heals without treatment, but the doctor can check for infections (which may need treatment), and treatment may involve several procedures as needed, including:
If you have an ear infection resulting from a perforated eardrum, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
If the perforation in the eardrum is large, surgery may be performed to repair the perforated eardrum.
How Can You Prevent a Perforated Eardrum?
Do not push anything deeply into your ears, including your fingers.
Wear appropriate ear protection if you are frequently exposed to loud noises.
When flying, try swallowing, yawning, chewing gum, or sucking candy during takeoff and landing.
What Are the Complications of a Perforated Eardrum?
If the eardrum tears, uncommon problems can occur, especially if it fails to heal on its own after three to six months. Potential complications include:
Hearing loss: It is usually temporary and persists only until the tear or perforation in the eardrum heals. The size and location of the tear can affect the degree of hearing loss.
Middle ear infection (otitis media): A perforated eardrum can allow bacteria to enter the ear. If the perforated eardrum does not heal, a few people may be prone to continuous infections (recurrent or chronic).
Middle ear cyst (cholesteatoma): Although extremely rare, this cyst, made up of skin cells and other debris, can develop in the middle ear as a long-term result of a perforated eardrum.
When Should You See a Doctor?
See a doctor if:
You suspect you have a perforated eardrum due to the presence of symptoms.
You visited the doctor, but symptoms did not improve after a few weeks, or if you develop new symptoms such as: (earache, fever, itching, or fluid leakage from your ear).
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should age be considered when performing surgeries as a treatment?
Surgical success in repairing eardrum perforations does not depend on age.
What causes the failure of eardrum perforations to heal?
Infection and tissue loss are the reasons that prevent eardrum perforations from healing.
What precautions should you take to help the perforated eardrum heal?
Do not let water enter your ear during the healing period. This will prevent middle ear infection.
