Perforated Eardrum Treatment

A perforated ear drum can be caused by an injury, infection, illness, or a sudden change in pressure. The eardrum is a thin, sensitive membrane in the ear. It is a protective lining that protects the inner ear and its organs. It also prevents bacteria from entering the inner ear. When the eardrum becomes damaged, it exposes the inner ear to possible damage and bacterial infection.

Diagnosing

• Infection in the ear is the most common reason for a ruptured eardrum. This is most commonly due to the infection causing the eardrum to bulge or stretch. Once the eardrum gains too much pressure from the infection and can no longer stretch, it tears or ruptures. A rupture in the eardrum can cause a tremendous amount of pain, nausea and vomiting, bleeding, the sounds of wind in the ear, dizziness, and difficulty walking.

  The doctor can see if the eardrum is ruptured by looking into the ear with an otoscope, or administering small puffs of air into the ear called a tympanogram. Sometimes if the holes in the eardrum are very small, these holes can be hard to detect and will require further testing.

Treatments

• If the tear is due to an infection, your doctor will probably put you on an antibiotic. An antibiotic will help rid the infection so the ear drum can heal. Your doctor will have you protect your ear from allowing water to get into it such as using cotton balls when you take a shower or bath while it is healing. He may order ear drops that will promote healing, as well as have you take pain medications for the pain. They can be over the counter pain medications such as tylenol or ibuprofen, or if the pain is significant, he may decide you will need a prescription pain medication.

  Most minimally ruptured eardrums heal on their own over a two-week period, however, if it does not heal or the tear is significant, your doctor may decide surgery is the best option for you.

Surgery

• Sometimes a ruptured eardrum can't heal on its own, or it may not heal properly even if you follow the doctor's orders. In these cases, your doctor may decide that surgery is required. Surgery to repair a perforated eardrum is typically done as an outpatient procedure.

  Surgery entails your doctor grafting or patching the eardrum. This can be done with a number of materials, including paper, fat and muscle.

  Significant perforated eardrums that require surgery normally heal in a two=month period. If you continue to have problems, you should notify your doctor right away, especially if new symptoms develop or your symptoms get worse.