Ruptured Ear Drum
What is an eardrum perforation?
An eardrum perforation is a hole or tear in the tympanic membrane (eardrum). It commonly occurs due to trauma (such as a slap, loud blast, or inserting objects into the ear) or from acute or chronic ear infections.
How is hearing affected by a perforated eardrum?
Hearing loss can occur depending on the size and location of the perforation. A hearing test (audiogram) is performed to determine the extent of hearing loss and to guide treatment decisions.
Do all eardrum perforations require treatment?
Most traumatic or infection-related perforations heal on their own within a few weeks. However, if the perforation persists or causes significant hearing loss, medical or surgical treatment may be needed.
What should I do to protect my ear while it heals?
It is important to keep the ear dry. This includes:
- Avoiding swimming
- Using a cotton ball with petroleum jelly or waterproof earplugs during showers
What if the perforation doesn’t heal on its own?
If the eardrum does not close on its own, a surgical procedure called tympanoplasty may be recommended. It is typically done on an outpatient basis.
What is tympanoplasty, and how is it done?
Tympanoplasty is a procedure to repair a hole in the eardrum. Surgeons often use temporalis fascia, a thin layer of natural tissue located over the chewing muscle above the ear, as a graft. This tissue closely resembles the natural eardrum and works well as a replacement. During tympanoplasty, the surgeon also examines the ossicles—the tiny bones that help transmit sound. If they are damaged or not moving properly, ossicular reconstruction may be performed at the same time to help restore hearing.
