How long does a perforated eardrum take to heal. What are the common symptoms of a ruptured eardrum. What treatment options are available for a perforated eardrum. How can complications from a ruptured eardrum be prevented.

Understanding Perforated Eardrums: Causes and Symptoms

A perforated eardrum, also known as a ruptured eardrum or tympanic membrane perforation, occurs when there is a hole or tear in the thin membrane separating the outer ear from the middle ear. This delicate structure plays a crucial role in hearing and protecting the middle ear from external elements.

Common causes of eardrum perforation include:

• Ear infections
• Physical injuries to the ear
• Exposure to extremely loud noises
• Sudden changes in air pressure (e.g., during air travel)

Recognizing the symptoms of a perforated eardrum is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. Typical signs include:

• Sudden hearing loss in the affected ear
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
• Ear pain or discomfort
• Itching sensation in the ear
• Fluid discharge from the ear (may be clear, bloody, or pus-like)
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Fever (in some cases)

Can a perforated eardrum cause permanent hearing loss? While a ruptured eardrum can lead to temporary hearing impairment, permanent hearing loss is rare if the condition is properly treated. Most cases resolve on their own or with appropriate medical intervention.

The Healing Process: How Long Does It Take for a Perforated Eardrum to Heal?

The recovery time for a perforated eardrum can vary depending on the severity of the injury and individual factors. In most cases, the eardrum heals naturally within 6 to 8 weeks. However, larger perforations may take several months to heal completely.

Factors influencing healing time include:

• Size and location of the perforation
• Presence of infection
• Overall health of the individual
• Adherence to treatment recommendations

Is it possible to speed up the healing process of a perforated eardrum? While there’s no guaranteed way to accelerate healing, following your doctor’s advice, keeping the ear dry, and avoiding activities that may cause further damage can help promote optimal recovery.

Diagnosis and Medical Evaluation of Ruptured Eardrums

Proper diagnosis of a perforated eardrum is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers typically use the following methods to assess the condition:

1. Visual examination: Using an otoscope to inspect the ear canal and eardrum
2. Audiology tests: Conducting hearing tests to evaluate the extent of hearing loss
3. Tympanometry: Measuring eardrum movement and middle ear pressure

In some cases, additional tests may be necessary to rule out other conditions or assess complications.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
• Persistent ear pain or discharge
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Fever accompanying ear symptoms

How can you differentiate between a perforated eardrum and other ear conditions? While some symptoms may overlap with other ear issues, a thorough medical examination is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Only a healthcare professional can determine the exact nature of your ear problem.

Treatment Options for Perforated Eardrums

The treatment approach for a perforated eardrum depends on the severity of the injury and any associated complications. In many cases, the eardrum heals on its own without intervention. However, medical treatment may be necessary in some situations.

Conservative Management

For minor perforations, conservative treatment may include:

• Watchful waiting and monitoring
• Pain management with over-the-counter medications
• Keeping the ear dry during activities like bathing or swimming
• Avoiding activities that may cause further damage

Medical Interventions

In cases of infection or slow healing, medical treatments may include:

• Antibiotics to prevent or treat infections
• Eardrops to help clear debris and promote healing
• Oral steroids to reduce inflammation (in some cases)

Surgical Repair

For large perforations or those that fail to heal on their own, surgical intervention may be necessary. The most common surgical procedure is called myringoplasty, which involves grafting tissue to repair the eardrum.

Are there any risks associated with eardrum repair surgery? Like any surgical procedure, myringoplasty carries some risks, including infection, hearing changes, and tinnitus. However, these complications are generally rare when performed by an experienced surgeon.

Preventing Complications and Promoting Healing

To facilitate healing and prevent complications, follow these guidelines:

• Keep the affected ear dry during bathing or swimming
• Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal, including cotton swabs
• Protect the ear from loud noises and sudden pressure changes
• Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding medication and follow-up care

Can you fly with a perforated eardrum? While it’s generally safe to fly with a perforated eardrum, it’s best to consult your doctor before air travel, especially if you’ve recently undergone eardrum repair surgery.

Long-term Outlook and Potential Complications

The prognosis for most cases of perforated eardrums is excellent, with many healing completely within a few months. However, potential complications may include:

• Recurring ear infections
• Persistent hearing loss
• Cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth in the middle ear)
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider can help monitor healing progress and address any potential complications promptly.

Living with a Perforated Eardrum: Lifestyle Adjustments and Considerations

While recovering from a perforated eardrum, you may need to make some temporary lifestyle adjustments:

• Use earplugs or a swimming cap when showering or swimming
• Avoid activities that may increase pressure in the ear, such as scuba diving
• Be cautious when blowing your nose to prevent further damage
• Communicate your condition to healthcare providers before any ear-related procedures

How long should you avoid water exposure after a perforated eardrum? It’s generally recommended to keep the ear dry for at least 4-6 weeks or until your doctor confirms that the eardrum has healed sufficiently.

Advances in Eardrum Repair and Future Treatment Possibilities

Research in the field of otolaryngology continues to advance, offering new possibilities for eardrum repair and treatment:

• Biomaterial grafts: Development of new materials for more effective eardrum repairs
• Tissue engineering: Creating lab-grown tissue for eardrum reconstruction
• Minimally invasive techniques: Exploring less invasive methods for eardrum repair
• Regenerative medicine: Investigating ways to stimulate natural eardrum healing

These advancements hold promise for improving treatment outcomes and reducing recovery times for patients with perforated eardrums.

What role does genetics play in eardrum healing and susceptibility to perforation? While research is ongoing, some studies suggest that genetic factors may influence an individual’s susceptibility to eardrum perforation and their ability to heal from such injuries. Future genetic research may lead to more personalized treatment approaches.

In conclusion, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for perforated eardrums is crucial for proper management and recovery. While most cases heal on their own, seeking timely medical attention and following appropriate care guidelines can help prevent complications and ensure optimal healing. As research continues to advance, new treatment possibilities may emerge, offering hope for even better outcomes in the future.

Perforated eardrum – NHS

A perforated (burst) eardrum is a hole or tear in your eardrum. It usually gets better on its own within 2 months, but you may need treatment such as antibiotics.

Check if you have a perforated eardrum

Symptoms of a perforated eardrum usually start suddenly after an:

• ear infection
• injury (such as getting hit on your ear)
• loud noise
• sudden change in air pressure (such as flying on a plane)

Most of the time symptoms affect 1 ear and include:

• hearing loss
• a ringing or buzzing sound in your ear (tinnitus)
• earache or ear pain
• itching in your ear
• clear fluid, blood or pus leaking from your ear
• feeling dizzy
• a high temperature

Information:

If you’re not sure if it’s a perforated eardrum, find out about other conditions that can cause earache, hearing loss or tinnitus.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you have sudden hearing loss in 1 or both ears
• your hearing has been getting worse over the last few days or weeks
• you have hearing loss along with other symptoms, such as earache or discharge coming out of the ear

It might not be anything serious, but it’s best to get help as it may need to be treated quickly.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Treatment for a perforated eardrum

A perforated eardrum usually gets better on its own within 2 months and your hearing returns to normal.

A GP may prescribe antibiotics if you have an ear infection, or to stop you getting an ear infection while your eardrum heals.

Sometimes, surgery to repair the eardrum (myringoplasty) may be needed if the eardrum is not healing by itself.

Important

Go back to your GP if your symptoms have not started to improve after a few weeks.

Information:

More information

Find out more about myringoplasty surgery on the ENT UK website

Things you can do if you have a perforated eardrum

There are some things you can do to help heal a perforated eardrum and ease symptoms.

Do

• take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease any pain

• put a large piece of cotton wool covered in petroleum jelly in your outer ear when you wash your hair to stop water getting in

Don’t

• do not go swimming or get your ear wet until your eardrum heals

• do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds or eardrops (unless a doctor recommends them)

• try not to blow your nose too hard because this can damage your eardrum as it heals

Information:

Flying with a perforated eardrum

It’s safe to fly if you have a perforated eardrum. But if you’ve had surgery to repair a perforated eardrum (myringoplasty), do not fly until you’re told it’s safe to.

Page last reviewed: 19 April 2023
Next review due: 19 April 2026

Ruptured Eardrum: Symptoms, Treatments, and Recovery

Written by Joseph Saling

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 21, 2022

• What Is a Ruptured Eardrum?
• What Causes a Ruptured Eardrum?
• What Are the Symptoms of a Ruptured Eardrum?
• How Is a Ruptured Eardrum Diagnosed?
• How Is a Ruptured Eardrum Treated?
• How Can a Ruptured Eardrum Be Prevented
• More

A ruptured eardrum, like a clap of thunder, can happen suddenly. You may feel a sharp pain in your ear, or an earache that you’ve had for a while suddenly goes away. It’s also possible that you may not have any sign that your eardrum has ruptured.

A ruptured eardrum — also known as a perforated eardrum or a tympanic membrane perforation — can lead to complications such as middle ear infections and hearing loss. It may also require surgery to repair the damage to the eardrum. But typically, especially if you protect your ear, a ruptured eardrum will heal on its own without treatment within a couple of months.

A ruptured eardrum is a tear in the thin membrane that separates your outer ear from your inner ear. That membrane, known as the tympanic membrane, is made of tissue that resembles skin.

The eardrum serves two important functions in your ear. It senses vibrating sound waves and converts the vibration into nerve impulses that convey the sound to your brain. It also protects the middle ear from bacteria as well as water and foreign objects. Normally, the middle ear is sterile. But when the eardrum is ruptured, bacteria can get into the middle ear and cause an infection known as otitis media.

A number of things can cause the eardrum to rupture; one of the most common causes is an ear infection. When the middle ear is infected, pressure builds up and pushes against the eardrum. When the pressure gets too great, it can cause the eardrum to perforate. When that happens, you may suddenly notice that the pain and pressure you’ve felt from the infection suddenly stops and pus drains from the ear.

Another common cause of a ruptured eardrum is poking the eardrum with a foreign object, such as a cotton-tipped swab or a bobby pin that’s being used to clean wax out of the ear canal. Sometimes children can puncture their own eardrum by putting objects such as a stick or a small toy in their ear.

Some ruptured eardrums result from what’s known as barotrauma. This happens when the pressure inside the ear and the pressure outside the ear are not equal. That can happen, for example, when an airplane changes altitude, causing the air pressure in the cabin to drop or rise. The change in pressure is also a common problem for scuba divers.

A head injury or an ear slap can cause the eardrum to rupture. So can an acoustic trauma caused by a sudden loud noise, such as an explosion or a sudden blast of loud music.  Learn more about how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

Some people don’t notice any symptoms of a ruptured eardrum. Others see their doctor only after several days of general discomfort in their ear and feeling that “something’s not quite right with the ear.” Some people are surprised to hear air coming out their ear when they blow their nose. Forcefully blowing your nose causes air to rise up to fill the space in your middle ear. Normally this will cause the eardrum to balloon outward. But if there is a hole in the eardrum, air will rush out. Sometimes the sound is loud enough for other people to hear.

Other symptoms of a ruptured eardrum include:

• Sudden sharp ear pain or a sudden decrease in ear pain
• Drainage from the ear that may be bloody, clear, or resemble pus
• Ear noise or buzzing
• Hearing loss that may be partial or complete in the affected ear
• Episodic ear infections
• Facial weakness or dizziness

If you have any of the symptoms of a ruptured eardrum, the doctor will do an otoscopic exam. An otoscope is an instrument with a light that’s used to look inside the ear. In most cases, if there is a hole or tear in the eardrum, the doctor will be able to see it.

Sometimes there may be too much wax or drainage for the doctor to clearly see the eardrum. If this is the case, the doctor may clean the ear canal or prescribe eardrops for you to use to help clear it. Sometimes, the doctor uses a rubber bulb attached to the otoscope to blow a puff of air into the ear. If the eardrum is not ruptured, it will move when the air hits it. If it is ruptured, it won’t.

The doctor may also test your hearing to determine how much effect the ruptured eardrum has had on your hearing; they may use a tuning fork to test it. The doctor may also ask for an audiology test, which uses a series of tones you listen to with headphones to determine your level of hearing. Most hearing loss due to a ruptured eardrum is temporary. Normal hearing returns usually after the eardrum heals.

Typically, no specific treatment is needed for a ruptured eardrum; the vast majority of ruptured eardrums heal within three months. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic — either oral or in the form of eardrops — to prevent an ear infection or treat an existing infection. If the ruptured eardrum is causing you pain, the doctor may recommend using an over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Warmth may be applied also to relieve discomfort.

If the eardrum is slow to heal, you may be referred to an ear nose and throat doctor who may place a patch over the eardrum. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair a ruptured eardrum. The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, which usually takes a couple of hours, the doctor will attach a piece of your own tissue to the eardrum to rebuild the eardrum. Surgery is most commonly used for large perforations, for perforations that involve the edges of the eardrum, or for ruptured eardrums caused by an ear infection.

While the eardrum heals, you’ll need to keep the ear dry. That means no swimming or diving until the doctor says the eardrum is healed. You’ll also need to use a shower cap or use water-repellent earplugs (like swimmer’s wear) in your outer ear when you shower to keep water out. Other precautions include:

• Not using medicine other than what’s prescribed by your doctor in your ear
• Taking all the medicine prescribed by the doctor
• Protecting the ear from cold air
• Avoiding blowing your nose while the ear heals

The two most important steps you can take to prevent a ruptured eardrum are to avoid putting any object into your ear — even to clean it — and to treat ear infections promptly. It’s also important to see a doctor to remove a foreign object in your ear rather than try to remove it yourself.

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Perforation of the tympanic membrane – ENT clinic +1

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Contents

• A little about the anatomy of the tympanic membrane

• Causes of perforation in the eardrum

• Symptoms of perforation of the tympanic membrane

• Limitations in the presence of perforation of the tympanic membrane

• How quickly does a perforated eardrum heal?
  • Perforation after eardrum injury

  • Perforation after purulent otitis

  • Perforation after paracentesis

  • Perforation after bypass

• Treatment of perforation of the tympanic membrane in the “ENT clinic plus 1”

A little about the anatomy of the tympanic membrane

The eardrum is a multi-layered structure that helps conduct sound and separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Even a slight violation of its integrity can lead to hearing loss in the affected ear, infection in the middle ear, as well as the appearance of some contraindications.

Causes of perforation in the eardrum

1. Ear injury. The membrane can burst due to a sharp pronounced change in pressure (with a strong blow to the ear, with a kiss on the ear). You can also injure the eardrum with a cotton swab if you clean your ears too deeply and inaccurately. A foreign object that has fallen deep into the external auditory meatus (a small bead or even an insect) can also violate its integrity.
2. Acute purulent inflammation. In the presence of purulent inflammation in the middle ear, part of the membrane can melt under the influence of purulent discharge and its pressure on the membrane, then a perforation is formed and pus begins to flow out.
3. Perforation after paracentesis or bypass. Tympanic paracentesis is a procedure in which a perforation is purposefully made in the eardrum in order to remove excess fluid from the tympanic cavity. It is produced in the posterior-inferior quadrant of the membrane – where the possibility of damage to other structures of the ear is minimal. If it is necessary to maintain the outflow of fluid for a long time, shunting is resorted to (the formation of a stable outflow from the tympanic cavity by installing a special tube that prevents the opening in the tympanic membrane from closing).

Symptoms of a perforated tympanic membrane

The symptoms of a perforated tympanic membrane differ depending on its cause.

Trauma causes severe pain in the ear, especially when trying to tilt the head in the direction of the injury. The pain gradually subsides, and in its place come a feeling of congestion, tinnitus and hearing loss. There may be bleeding.

In case of inflammation of the middle ear, pus collects in it, which is also accompanied by severe pain, and a rise in temperature is possible. But when the pus breaks through the eardrum and flows out, the pain subsides, and the temperature returns to normal. Suppuration may continue for a week.

Restrictions in the presence of perforation of the eardrum

1. It is strictly forbidden to wet the ear:
   • When taking a shower, cover the ear with a cotton swab moistened with oil.
   • When visiting swimming pools and swimming in ponds, keep your head out of the water and also protect your ears with cotton wool or ear plugs.
   • Do not dive.
   • If non-sterile water gets into the middle ear through the perforation, inflammation can start there!
2. Restriction on the use of ear drops. Many ear drops contain substances that are not intended to enter the middle ear. Drops with an anesthetic effect, which many consider first aid (for example, Otipax), in this case will only do harm.

How quickly does a perforated eardrum heal?

In most cases, the perforation heals itself. The timing is affected by its size, location (perforations located at the edge of the membrane heal more difficult) and the body’s own regenerative abilities.

Perforation after eardrum injury

In the case of a post-traumatic perforation, it is important to monitor healing to prevent infection, which can slow down or even stop the regeneration process.

If the perforation is very extensive (subtotal or total, when the membrane itself is almost gone), there is practically no chance of spontaneous closure of the perforation.

Perforation after purulent otitis media

If perforation occurs during purulent otitis media, it is very important to completely remove the acute condition, get rid of pus and try to prevent repeated exacerbations.

If exacerbations are frequent, or the process has become chronic, then the perforation does not have time to close completely, begins to grow in diameter and becomes resistant (that is, it no longer grows).

Perforation after paracentesis

After competent paracentesis of the tympanic membrane, as a rule, the perforation heals fairly quickly (in a few days). The technique of carrying out dictates to carry out the procedure in a place where nothing will prevent the hole from closing, and its dimensions are not made very large. For a long time, perforation may persist in case of a decrease in tissue regeneration in a person (more often in the elderly) or in case of a violation of the methodology of the procedure.

Perforation after bypass

In the case of bypass surgery, it may take longer for the perforation to close after removal of the bypass, but it usually also closes without problems.

Treatment of eardrum perforation in “ENT clinic plus 1”

Even if your eardrum perforation is very large and persists for a long time, you can and should get rid of it anyway.

In this case, they already resort to surgical methods of treatment – tympanoplasty. The essence of this operation is that a small flap is formed from your tissues, which is superimposed on the membrane, covering all its missing parts. As a result, the integrity of the membrane is restored, hearing is significantly improved, and the middle ear cavity is again completely fenced off from the outer ear cavity (restrictions in swimming and others are removed).

In the “ENT clinic plus 1” you will have a complete endoscopic examination of the ENT organs, you will be able to see the eardrum on the screen with your own eyes. Depending on the cause of the perforation, you will be prescribed the appropriate treatment, including physiotherapy (red or infrared laser), which contribute to better tissue regeneration and the speedy closure of the perforation.

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Rupture of the tympanic membrane – Humanitas

Rupture of the tympanic membrane, or perforation of the tympanic membrane (medical term) is the formation of a hole or crack in the tympanic membrane – a thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear.

A ruptured eardrum can cause hearing loss. In addition, this condition increases the risk of infection and injury to the middle ear.

A ruptured eardrum usually does not require treatment and heals within a few weeks. However, in some cases, the eardrum needs to be surgically repaired to heal.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of eardrum rupture:

• Ear pain that subsides quickly
• Clear, purulent or bloody discharge from the ear
• Hearing loss
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sensation as if things are spinning around (vertigo)
• Nausea or vomiting which may cause dizziness

Conditions for seeking medical attention

If you experience any signs or symptoms of a ruptured or perforated eardrum, or if you experience pain or discomfort in your ears, seek medical attention. The middle and inner ear are a delicate mechanism that is sensitive to any kind of injury and disease. To preserve hearing, it is important to prescribe adequate treatment in a timely manner.

Complications

The tympanic membrane has two important functions:

Hearing protection. When sound waves hit the eardrum, it begins to vibrate – this is the first stage in the transformation of sound waves into nerve impulses by the structures of the middle and inner ear.
Protective function. In addition, the tympanic membrane acts as a barrier to protect the middle ear from water, bacteria and other foreign substances.
If the tympanic membrane ruptures while the tympanic membrane is healing, or if the tympanic membrane does not heal properly, complications may develop. Possible complications include:

Hearing loss Hearing loss is usually temporary and only lasts until the tear or hole in the eardrum heals. The degree of hearing loss depends on the size and location of the tear.
Middle ear infection (otitis media) . A perforated eardrum can cause bacteria to enter the ear. Failure to heal or repair a perforated eardrum may increase the patient’s vulnerability to ongoing (chronic) infections that can cause permanent hearing loss.