The doctor may want you to get an audiology exam to measure how well you hear at different pitches and volumes. If there is fluid coming from the ear, a sample of the fluid might be tested in a lab. This can help doctors decide which antibiotic is best for treating the infection.
Usually, a perforated eardrum will heal on its own within a few weeks without any treatment. While the eardrum is healing, over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease any pain. Ask your health care professional or a parent which pain relievers are best for you.
To help prevent infections or treat any existing infections , a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are usually a pill that you'll swallow, but sometimes can be ear drops. If your eardrum doesn't heal on its own, an ear-nose-throat ENT specialist may recommend an eardrum patch.
During this procedure, a doctor puts a paper patch over the hole. Doctors may need to do this procedure a number of times until the eardrum is fully healed. If all other treatments fail, the ENT specialist might have to do a kind of surgery known as a tympanoplasty. The surgeon will attach a small patch of your own tissue to close the tear on your eardrum.
Sometimes you can't prevent a perforated eardrum like when an eardrum ruptures because of infection, for example. Perforated Eardrum. Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. This child has drainage from the ear and redness erythema behind the ear over the mastoid bone.
The tympanic membrane eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear. The membrane vibrates when sound waves strike it, beginning the process that converts the sound wave into a nerve impulse that travels to the brain. Ear infections may cause a ruptured eardrum. This occurs more often in children.
The infection causes pus or fluid to build up behind the eardrum. As the pressure increases, the eardrum may break open rupture. The health care provider will look in your ear with an instrument called an otoscope. Sometimes they will need to use a microscope for a better view.
If the eardrum is ruptured, the doctor will see an opening in it. The bones of the middle ear may also be visible. Pus draining from the ear may make it harder for the doctor to see the eardrum. If pus is present and blocking the view of the eardrum, the doctor may need to suction the ear to clear the pus. Audiology testing can measure how much hearing has been lost. Repair of the eardrum might be needed for larger holes or ruptures or if the eardrum does not heal on its own.
This can be done either in the office or under anesthesia. If your pain and symptoms improve after your eardrum ruptures, you may wait until the next day to see your provider.
DO NOT insert objects into the ear canal, even to clean it. Objects stuck in the ear should only be removed by a provider. If the hole in your eardrum is big, or does not heal in a few weeks, the GP may refer you to an ear specialist to talk about having surgery to repair a perforated eardrum. Find out more about flying if you have a perforated eardrum.
Page last reviewed: 11 February Next review due: 11 February Overview - Perforated eardrum Contents Overview Surgery. Symptoms of a perforated eardrum Signs of a perforated eardrum, or an ear infection caused by a perforated eardrum, include: sudden hearing loss — you may find it difficult to hear anything or your hearing may just be slightly muffled earache or pain in your ear itching in your ear fluid leaking from your ear a high temperature ringing or buzzing in your ear tinnitus The symptoms will usually pass once your eardrum has healed or any infection has been treated.
When to see a GP See a GP if: you think you have a perforated eardrum you have already seen a GP and your symptoms are not any better after a few weeks or you get new symptoms such as earache, a fever, itching or fluid leaking from your ear Your eardrum will usually heal without treatment, but a GP can check for an infection which may need treatment and talk to you about how you can look after your ear. Things you can do if you have a perforated eardrum Perforated eardrums do not always need to be treated because they often get better by themselves within a few weeks.
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