Perforated Eardrum

The ear has three different sections. They are: the outer ear, the inner ear and the middle ear. The eardrum is a thin membrane like structure which is located in between the outer and middle part of the ear. It is referred to as eardrum mainly because its function is quite similar to that of a drum. It receives sound waves from outside (or outer ear) and causes vibration which is then transmitted to the small hearing bones (or ossicles) present in the middle ear, and thus enables us to hear. It also provides protection to the highly sensitive middle and inner part of the ear. Perforated eardrum is quite a common occurrence mainly because the membrane is extremely thin.

Causes

Infections in the middle part of the ear caused by fungi, virus or bacteria is one of the key causes. Due to the infection, a pressure buildup take place behind the eardrum that leads to overstretch of the membrane and leads to its tear. Trauma is the another factor responsible for this kind of ear problem. It can happen if the ear is hit directly during a motor vehicle accident or a bad fall on the side of the head, or some sports activities. Perforation may also occur when a sharp object like bobby pin or Q-tip is inserted deep into the ear canal. This is the most commonly found cause behind a perforated eardrum in children. Ruptured eardrums can also result from a spontaneous loud explosion near the ear, like gunshots or fireworks. Rapid change in air pressure during sudden altitude changes while traveling by aircraft or scuba diving can damage the eardrum too.

Symptoms

The most common symptom which is found in this condition is earache. The intensity of the ear pain depends on the extent of damage caused in the eardrum. In some cases, the earache may be persistent and in others it may come and go. It also often affects a person's hearing ability. When the perforation is small, the hearing loss is minor but in cases of larger tears, the effect on the hearing will be much more serious. Like the damage sustained due to loud explosion severely affects the hearing and is accompanied by tinnitus or ringing in the ears. If any infection occurs, then a sense of fullness can be felt in the ear and fluid discharge may also occur.

Treatment

A perforated eardrum is treated by an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist or otolaryngologist. When the perforation is a minor one, it may not require any specific treatment and will get healed up on its own. Doctors prescribe pain relieving medicines to control the pain and antibiotics to treat the infections. In these cases, healing time is around six to eight weeks. During this time, the ear should be given adequate protection by keeping it clean and dry. If the eardrum does not heal on its own, then doctors use a special technique to fix the torn eardrum. They use some chemicals to promote growth of the membrane and close the hole. Usually, it requires three to four sittings to repair the eardrum. A more severe form of damage is fixed with the help of surgery. Basically, it involves grafting of the affected skin tissue with paper, fat or muscle. It is done under local anesthesia and the patient is released from the hospital on the same day. The healing time for this kind of treatment could be several months.

Any kind of ear infections should not be neglected and should be treated on time to prevent a perforated eardrum. Do not insert anything inside the ears even for earwax removal. While involving yourself in sports activities that can cause injury to the ears, make sure you protect your ears with proper protective gear.