Perforated Eardrum - Ruptured Eardrum
SymptomsEardrum perforation causes a sudden intense pain. You may experience a decrease in hearing or hearing loss. Your ear may bleed. Without the protective membrane, your ear is vulnerable to germs. An ear infection may develop causing pus and drainage. You may have a fever and hear unusual noises, such as buzzing or ringing in your ear. In some cases, vertigo may result. Vertigo is the false sense that the room is moving or spinning. It can cause balance problems.
Surgery is used when other treatments fail. A tympanoplasty is an outpatient surgery that is used to treat eardrum perforation. It involves attaching tissue that is taken from another place on your body to your eardrum to help it heal. This may restore hearing.
PreventionYou may help prevent a perforated eardrum by having ear infections treated immediately. It may be helpful to avoid flying when you have a cold, ear infection, or sinus infection. Do not place objects deep within your ear. Use cotton swabs with care. Wear regulation earplugs if you are shooting a gun at a firing range, working in a loud environment, or around other loud noises.
Am I at Risk
Risk factors for eardrum perforation:
_____ Flying in an airplane, especially if you have a cold or allergies
_____ Diving underwater
_____ Loud noises, such as gunfire or explosions
_____ Foreign objects can penetrate the eardrum
_____ A hit or slap to the ear
_____ Ear infections
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.