Deaf Service Center

One of the most causes of hearing loss is perforation of the eardrum, this can occur for several reasons including ear infections and foreign objects being put in the ear such as q-tips being inserted too far.

The ear is divided into three parts, the outer ear, middle ear and the inner ear. The Eardrum is covered by a thick layer of skin and is circular in shape when a perforation occurs it is because of a tear in the eardrum.

Sound waves entering the outer ear make your eardrum vibrate this is how you hear sound as it passes to tiny bones in your middle ear from the eardrum. Sound is then carried to the cochlea in your inner ear and this converts the vibrations to sound signals which your brain then interrupts as the sound you hear.

Symptoms

You may have a perforated eardrum if you are suffering from any of the following symptoms:

• Discomfort in the ear or pain
• Pus or discharge emitting from the ear
• A partial loss of hearing or “fuzzy” hearing
• A ringing noise or a similar sound is present

How Your Eardrum Can Become Perforated

The most common cause is contracting an ear infection because of the pus build up that often occurs with infection. Sometimes your eardrum will rupture allowing the pus to escape.

Underwater divers and pilots can suffer from perforation of the eardrum due to sudden changes in air pressure, it can also occur if in close vicinity of an unexpected loud noise.

A perforation to the eardrum can also occur by the insertion of foreign objects too deep into the ear, such as when using cotton buds to clean the ears. A fracture of the skull and tumours can sometimes cause perforation but this is very rare.

Treatment of the Perforated Eardrum

Most perforations will heal themselves in around one to two months, any pain can be subdued by taking painkillers and the use of a hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth can help greatly to reduce discomfort.

While healing is taking place care should be taken not to get water into the ear, if the perforation was caused by infection then antibiotics may also be prescribed by your Doctor to clear the infection.

Your Doctor should periodically check your ear to make sure the perforation is healing on its own for occasionally surgery may be required. The surgery used to heal the perforation is called myringoplasty in which a small cut will be made above your ear and a small piece of tissue will be taken to repair the perforation.

After this has been performed the patient will then usually hear a buzzing in the ears but this is perfectly normal and will go away. You will have to return to the hospital on an out patient basis for several weeks to have dressings changed and painkillers will be prescribed to ease the discomfort.

Your ear must be kept totally dry until the wound has healed and you may possible feel tired and out of sorts with yourself for a few days after the operation.