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What is a perforated eardrum? What causes it? And how is hearing affected?
Any hole or rupture in the eardrum is called a perforated eardrum. It is often accompanied by decreased hearing and occasional discharge. Pain is usually not persistent.
What causes eardrum perforation?
Middle-ear infections, also known as acute otitis media, may cause pain, hearing loss and spontaneous rupture of the eardrum that results in a perforation. In this circumstance, there may be infected or bloody drainage from the ear. Symptoms of acute otitis media include a sense of fullness in the ear, diminished hearing, pain and fever.
On rare occasions, a small hole may remain in the eardrum after a previously placed ear tube falls out or is removed by the physician.
Most eardrum perforations heal on their own within weeks of rupture, although some may take several months to resolve. During the healing process, the ear must be protected from water and trauma. Eardrum perforations that do not heal on their own may require surgery.
How is hearing affected by a perforated eardrum?
Usually the size of the perforation determines the level of hearing loss -- a larger hole will cause greater hearing loss than a smaller one. The location of the perforation also has an effect. If the perforated eardrum is caused by a sudden traumatic or explosive event, the loss of hearing can be great. Chronic infection as a result of the perforation can cause persistent or progressive hearing loss.
How is a perforated eardrum treated?
Before attempting any correction of the perforation, a hearing test should be performed. The benefits of closing a perforation include prevention of water entering the ear while showering, bathing or swimming (which could cause ear infection), improved hearing and diminished tinnitus.
If the perforation is very small, an otolaryngologist may choose to observe it over time to see if it closes on its own. She/he might try to patch a patient’s eardrum in the office. Several applications of a patch may be required before the perforation closes completely. If your physician feels that a paper patch will not provide prompt or adequate closure of the hole in the eardrum, or if paper patching does not help, surgery may be required. Your otolaryngologist will advise you regarding the proper management of a perforated eardrum.
Dr. Cecelia Damask is a board-certified otolaryngologist, a physician who practices the medical management of diseases of the ears, nose and throat. Her specialty is the treatment of allergies. Visit lakemaryallergy.com for more information.
