Perforated Eardrum

The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, which radiates sound waves through the middle ear to the inner ear, is a thin, oval sheath at the end the auditory canal that protects the middle-ear space from infection. When a perforated eardrum occurs, this sheath is torn or punctured.

The Perforated ear drum can create weird noises, such as humming, clicking, ringing or roaring, depending on the location, size and severity of the rupture. Needless to say, words will probably be indistinguishable.

When it comes to a perforated eardrum, symptoms are pretty much obvious: little or no reaction to hearing tests conducted next to the perforated eardrum; fluid in the ear from the inside, sometimes blood, resulting in ear leakage; perforated eardrum-induced pain and discomfort; and some definite degree of hearing loss, such as faint, distant or wispy sounds.

Causes range from trauma by sharp objects such as pencils, Q-tips, bobby pins, to an infection of the middle ear. This means that a tympanic rupture can be induced from either or both sides. Hot debris that has lodged within can be quite painful and sear through the eardrum. Perforated eardrum pain can possibly be sharp and burning, especially if the trauma is heavy.

Will a perforated eardrum heal? Yes, such damage can quite frequently heal on its own within a few weeks or months, depending on the degree of severity of the perforated eardrum, and scar tissue is likely to be minimal.

If it doesn’t heal on its own, though, more extensive measures are necessary. The simple surgery for perforated eardrum procedure is called tympanoplasty and involves “patching” up the hole with chemical adhesive and paper, all performed under a microscope. Any perforated eardrum treatment, including surgery, is usually done as outpatient-based care.

Infant perforated eardrum, however, is much more difficult due to the small size and sensitivity of the child’s tympanic membrane. A perforated eardrum picture, here, will definitely make the surgeon’s job easier.

For an infection-induced perforated eardrum, antibiotics, Penicillin, and other medication will likely be necessary to eliminate the said infection in the middle ear before any work can be done. In the meantime, the damaged ear should be closed to protect the middle ear from further infection.

If you ask yourself “Can I fly with a perforated eardrum?” the answer is yes! As a matter of fact, with a perforated eardrum, flying is safer as far as the change in pressure goes. When a person descends in an airplane, constant drinking (non-alcohol) or swallowing is typically necessary to keep the Eustacian tube open to allow air inside. A perforated eardrum works better at equalizing the middle ear by providing access of air through the auditory canal, so the Eustacian tube may not even be needed.

A perforated eardrum is serious, by all means. The condition is both simple and complex in nature and should always be tended to by a physician as soon as symptoms arise.