What is a perforated eardrum? Causes of a perforated eardrum. Signs and symptoms of a perforated eardrum. How a perforated eardrum is diagnosed and treated.

What Is a Perforated Eardrum?

A perforated eardrum is a tear or hole in the ear’s tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum. This condition is also called a ruptured eardrum. While a perforated eardrum can be painful, most heal within a few days to weeks. If they don’t heal on their own, doctors may perform surgery to fix the hole.

What Does the Eardrum Do?

The eardrum is a thin, skin-like tissue that is stretched tight across the opening between the ear canal and the middle ear, like a drum. Sound waves enter the outer ear and hit the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. The middle ear and inner ear then change these vibrations into signals that the brain recognizes as sound. A ruptured eardrum cannot vibrate as well, which can temporarily cause hearing problems.

What Causes a Perforated Eardrum?

Several things can cause a tear or hole in the eardrum, including:

• Using cotton swabs or other objects in the ear, which can damage the ear canal or eardrum
• Sudden changes in air pressure, such as during flying, driving on a mountain road, or scuba diving
• Exposure to very loud noises, like an explosion, which can damage the eardrum and cochlea
• Head trauma, such as a direct blow to the ear or a severe head injury
• Direct trauma to the outer ear or ear canal, like a slap on the ear
• Ear infections that cause fluid or pus buildup behind the eardrum, causing it to burst open

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Perforated Eardrum?

The first sign of a perforated eardrum is often pain. Other symptoms may include:

• Mild to severe pain that may worsen before suddenly decreasing
• Drainage from the ear that can be clear, pus-filled, or bloody
• Hearing loss
• Ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus)
• Dizziness or vertigo (a feeling that the room is spinning)
• Rarely, weak facial muscles

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, call the doctor right away. Even though most perforations heal on their own, it’s important to ensure any hearing loss is temporary. Seek emergency medical care if your child has bloody discharge from the ear, extreme pain, total hearing loss in one ear, or dizziness that causes vomiting.

How Is a Perforated Eardrum Diagnosed?

To diagnose a perforated eardrum, the doctor will use a lighted instrument called an otoscope to examine the ear canal and eardrum. They may be able to see the tear or hole, as well as the small bones of the middle ear. In some cases, fluid draining from the ear can make it difficult to see the eardrum.

The doctor may also order additional tests, such as:

• An audiology exam to measure the child’s hearing at different pitches and volumes
• A tympanometry to measure the response of the eardrum to slight changes in air pressure
• A lab test of any fluid draining from the ear to check for infection

How Is a Perforated Eardrum Treated?

In most cases, a perforated eardrum will heal on its own within a few weeks without treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease any discomfort. To prevent or treat an infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, either in pill form or as ear drops.

If the eardrum doesn’t heal on its own, the doctor may recommend an eardrum patch procedure, where a paper patch is placed over the hole. This may need to be done a few times until the eardrum fully heals.

If these treatments are not effective, the doctor may recommend a tympanoplasty, a surgical procedure where the surgeon attaches a small patch of the patient’s own tissue or a man-made material to close the eardrum tear.

What Else Should I Know?

While recovering from a perforated eardrum, it’s important to:

• Never use over-the-counter ear drops unless the doctor says it’s okay, as some can cause problems with a hole in the eardrum
• Try to keep the ear canal dry, using a waterproof earplug or cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly when bathing or showering
• Avoid blowing the nose forcefully, as this can push air into the middle ear and delay healing

With proper care and treatment, most perforated eardrums heal without any long-term complications. If you have any concerns, be sure to consult your child’s doctor.

Eardrum Injuries (for Parents) – Nemours Kidshealth

What Is a Perforated Eardrum?

A perforated eardrum is a tear or hole in the ear’s tympanic membrane (the eardrum). A perforated eardrum is also called a ruptured eardrum.

A perforated (PER-fer-ate-id) eardrum can hurt, but most heal in a few days to weeks. If they don’t heal, sometimes doctors do a surgery to fix the hole.

What Does the Eardrum Do?

The eardrum is a thin piece of skin-like tissue that’s stretched tight — like a drum — across the opening between the ear canal and the middle ear.

The outer ear funnels sound waves into the ear canal that hit the eardrum and make it vibrate. The middle ear and inner ear change the vibrations to signals that the brain senses as sounds.

A ruptured eardrum can’t vibrate as well as it should. This can cause a hearing problem, which often is temporary.

What Causes a Perforated Eardrum?

Many things can tear an eardrum, such as:

• Using cotton swabs. Sticking anything into the ears raises the risk of infection or damage to the ear canal or eardrum. Cotton swabs are handy for grooming needs, but should not be used to clean the ears or remove earwax.
• Sudden pressure changes (barotraumas). Most of the time, the air pressure in the middle ear and the pressure in the environment are in balance. But things like flying in an airplane, driving on a mountain road, or scuba diving can cause a sudden change in pressure that can rupture an eardrum.
• Loud noises (acoustic trauma). Very loud noises, like an explosion, can create sound waves strong enough to damage the eardrum. Loud noise also can cause temporary or permanent damage to the cochlea.
• Head trauma. A direct blow to the ear or a severe head injury from something like a car crash can fracture (break) the skull bone and tear the eardrum.
• Direct trauma to the pinna and outer ear canal. A slap on the ear with an open hand or other things that put pressure on the ear can tear the eardrum.
• Ear infections. An infection of the middle ear or inner ear can cause pus or fluid buildup behind the eardrum. This can make the eardrum burst open.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Perforated Eardrum?

The typical first sign of a perforated eardrum is pain. A child might have:

• mild to severe pain that may get worse for a time before suddenly decreasing
• drainage from the ear that can be clear, pus-filled, or bloody
• hearing loss
• ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus)
• dizziness or vertigo (a feeling that the room is spinning)
• rarely, weak facial muscles

Call the doctor right away if your child has any symptoms of a perforated eardrum. Even though most perforations heal on their own, it’s important to make sure any hearing loss is temporary.

Go to the emergency room right away if your child has:

• bloody discharge from the ear
• extreme pain
• total hearing loss in one ear
• dizziness that causes vomiting

How Is a Perforated Eardrum Diagnosed?

To check for a perforated eardrum, doctors check the ear canal with a lighted instrument called an otoscope. Often, a doctor can see the tear and sometimes the tiny bones of the middle ear. In some cases, fluid draining from the ear can make it hard to see the eardrum.

The doctor also might:

• order an audiology exam to measure how well the child hears at different pitches and volumes
• order a tympanometry to measure the response of the eardrum to slight changes in air pressure
• send a sample of fluid draining from the ear to a lab to check for infection

How Is a Perforated Eardrum Treated?

Most perforated eardrums heal on their own in a few weeks without treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease pain.

To help prevent or treat an infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. These might be a pill that your child swallows, but sometimes can be ear drops.

If the eardrum doesn’t heal on its own in a few weeks, an ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist may recommend an eardrum patch. In this procedure, a doctor puts a paper patch over the hole. Doctors may need to do this a few times until the eardrum fully heals.

If these treatments don’t work, the ENT specialist might recommend a tympanoplasty. In this surgery, the surgeon attaches a small patch of the patient’s own tissue or a man-made material to close the eardrum tear.

What Else Should I Know?

While recovering from a perforated eardrum, kids should:

1. Never use over-the-counter ear drops unless the doctor says to. With a hole in the eardrum, some kinds of ear drops can get into the middle ear or cochlea and cause problems.
2. Try to keep the ear canal dry. The doctor might recommend keeping the ear dry to prevent infection. Gently place a waterproof earplug or cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly in the ear when your child showers or takes a bath.
3. Take care when blowing their nose. Doing so with force can cause pain and more injury to the eardrum.

Can Perforated Eardrums Be Prevented?

You can’t prevent all perforated eardrums, such as those caused by an infection. But some are avoidable.

To help prevent a rupture:

• Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of an ear infection.
• Never stick anything into the ears, even to clean them. If something stuck gets in your child’s ear, have it removed by a health care provider. Trying to do it at home could damage the ear.
• Avoid flying on airplanes if your child has a cold or sinus infection. If you have to fly, have kids chew some gum during takeoff and landing. They also can try to equalize the pressure in their ears by yawning or swallowing. Babies should be breastfed or given a bottle or sippy cup to drink during takeoff and landing.
• Get lessons before scuba diving. These teach kids how to equalize the pressure in their ears. They shouldn’t scuba dive if they have an ear infection, sinus infection, or cold.

Clinical Practice Guidelines : Acute otitis media

Causes of acute otitis media are often multifactorial. Exposure to cigarette smoke from household contacts is a known modifiable risk factor

• signs of acute inflammation of the tympanic membrane (TM): bulging, red, opaque TM
• a red TM alone is not AOM. The most common cause is a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)

Otoscopic Images of Tympanic Membranes (TM):

Management

In Infants, especially
<6 months old, the diagnosis of AOM and OME can be inaccurate. Other diagnoses should be fully considered (see Febrile child)

Management may also differ for children from higher
risk groups, such as those living in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
communities (see additional resources below)

Investigations

• There is no role for routine diagnostic investigation for AOM
• Diagnostic imaging such as CT and MRI is usually only required in children with suspected intracranial complications

Treatment

• Most cases of AOM in children resolve spontaneously and antibiotics are not recommended
• Treat pain with adequate and regular simple analgesia. See
  Acute pain management
• As an adjunct, short-term use of topical analgesia eg 2% lignocaine, 1-2 drops applied to an intact tympanic membrane, may be effective for severe acute ear pain
• Decongestants, antihistamines and corticosteroids are not effective in AOM

Complications

Tympanic membrane perforation

• AOM with TM perforation is common and results in otorrhoea and frequently, relief of pain
• Otorrhoea due to TM perforation should be distinguished from Otitis Externa

Acute Mastoiditis (AM)

Acute mastoiditis, although rare, is the most common suppurative complication of AOM and may be associated with intracranial complications

• The diagnosis of AM is based on post auricular inflammatory signs (erythema, oedema, tenderness or fluctuance), a protruding auricle often with external auditory canal oedema and signs of AOM (see image below)
• Requires prompt treatment with appropriate
  intravenous antibiotics (eg flucloxacillin plus 3rd generation cephalosporin)
• Consult ENT as may require surgical treatment

Acute mastoiditis

Other complications

• Other suppurative complications including intracranial spread of infection are rare
• Facial nerve palsy secondary to AOM should be discussed with ENT
• Long-term non suppurative complications include atelectasis of the TM and cholesteatoma

Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)

• OME, previously termed serous otitis or glue ear, is fluid in the middle ear without signs and symptoms of infection, other than transient hearing impairment
• The presence of a middle ear effusion is not a diagnostic sign of AOM (an effusion may not resolve for up to 12 weeks following AOM)
• Antibiotics and ENT referral are not routinely required for OME, as the majority of cases occur after an episode of AOM and resolve spontaneously with no long-term effects on language, literacy or cognitive development
• Persistent effusion beyond 3 months should trigger a hearing assessment and ENT involvement/referral

Consider consultation with local paediatric team when

• Children who are systemically unwell
• Neonates
• Children with signs of acute mastoiditis or who have a cochlear implant should be discussed with ENT

Consider transfer when

Children requiring care beyond the level of comfort of the local hospital

For emergency advice and paediatric or neonatal ICU transfers, see Retrieval Services

Consider discharge when

No signs of complications

Additional resources

Otitis media guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Parent information

Ear Infections and Glue Ear 

Last Updated June 2021

Middle Ear, Tympanic Membrane, Perforations: Practice Essentials, Epidemiology, Etiology

Pictures Of Ruptured Eardrum

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How to Heal a Ruptured Eardrum: 15 Steps (with Pictures

7 hours ago The eardrum is fairly fragile, and trauma to the ear can cause the eardrum to tear, which is known as a ruptured or perforated eardrum. They’re more common in children who develop …

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1. Recognize the signs of a ruptured eardrum. Perforated eardrums can share symptoms with middle ear infections or other ear damage, so it can be hard to tell them apart. If your eardrum ruptures, you may experience: Ear pain (that may stop suddenly) Discharge or bleeding from the ear Hearing loss Ringing or buzzing in the ear Nausea or vomiting Dizziness, wobbliness, or vertigo Seek emergency care if you experience excessive bleeding or total hearing loss, are in extreme pain, are abnormally dizzy, or have something stuck in your ear
2. Know when a ruptured eardrum is more likely. Injury or damage to the eardrum is typically caused by a sudden change in pressure, which can result from several different circumstances. The eardrum is more likely to be damaged or torn due to: Fluid from a middle ear infection breaking the eardrum (this is more common in children, but can happen at any age) Small and/or blunt objects being inserted into the ear Rapid shifts in air pressure (for example, being on a plane) Exposure to extremely loud sounds, like explosions or concerts Injury to the ear, head, or neck
3. See your doctor as soon as you can. Because a ruptured eardrum can cause permanent hearing loss in serious cases, it’s vital to see your doctor if you suspect any kind of injury or damage to your ear. Tell your doctor: The symptoms you’re experiencing What happened leading up to the symptoms If you’ve had problems with your ears in the past, like recurring ear infections Whether you were sick If anything has been in your ear Anything you did to treat it
4. Allow your doctor to examine your ear. Your doctor might check your ear themselves, or they may refer you to a specialist. They will look for any damage in the ear using an otoscope, and likely test your hearing to see if it’s intact. If necessary, they may also check how your ear reacts to shifts in air pressure, and check any drainage for signs of infection. Your doctor might have to clear out your ears to examine them, depending on whether there’s drainage.

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2 hours ago Focus on the man’s face eardrum stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The human ear, wood engraving, published in 1880 Anatomy of the human ear: A) auricle, B) External Auditory Canal, C) Tympanic Membrane, D) Tympanic Cavity, E) Malleus, M) Incus, H) Cochlea, G) Semicircular Canals, I) Eustachian Tube.

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5 hours ago The ear drum can be perforated as a result of chronic infections, trauma, congenital conditions, or the placement of drains used to treat infections. Doctors will usually recommend a wait and see approach for perforations, but if it becomes apparent that the eardrum cannot heal independently, eardrum repair must be considered as an option.

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9 hours ago The eardrum is a portion of the anatomy of the ear that is designed to separate the external parts of the ear from the middle ear. It protects the middle air from damage and it also serves another function, conducting sound in the middle ear to enable hearing. Eardrums start appearing very early in fetal development and errors during

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6 hours ago A ruptured or perforated eardrum (tympanic membrane) occurs when there is a hole or tear in the tympanic membrane that separates the middle ear from the ear canal.. Signs and symptoms of a ruptured eardrum can include. earache,; dizziness or vertigo,; pus or drainage from the ear, hearing loss,; ringing in the ear, and a; decrease in hearing or hearing loss.; Other associated symptoms and

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9 hours ago Causes of a perforated eardrum. A hole in the eardrum can be caused by: an ear infection. an injury to the eardrum, such as a blow to your ear or poking an object like a cotton bud deep into your ear. changes in pressure, such as while flying or scuba diving. a sudden loud noise, such as an explosion.

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Tympanic Membrane Perforations StatPearls NCBI Bookshelf

5 hours ago Tympanic membrane perforation is when the tympanic membrane (TM) ruptures, creating a hole between the external and middle ear. The TM is a layer of cartilaginous connective tissue, with skin on the outer surface and mucosa covering the inner surface that separates the external auditory canal from the middle ear and ossicles. The TM function is to aid in hearing by creating vibrations …

Website: Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Category: Use words in a sentence

Perforation

How to Diagnose and Treat Ruptured Eardrums in Cats: 10 Steps

8 hours ago Ruptured eardrums in cats can be caused by trauma, ear polyps, or an infection, such as ear mites. Cats can also sustain damage to their eardrums due to loud noises, changes in …

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1. Notice if the cat is shaking or rubbing its head. A cat with ruptured eardrums may shake its head from side to side or tilt it constantly. It may also try to rub its head on furniture or the floor due to the irritation and pain in its ears.
2. Check the cat’s ears for discharge and redness. Lift the cat’s ear flaps to check for any discharge in its ear. The discharge may have a foul smell. There may also be redness and swelling around its outer ear due to ruptured eardrums. Be very careful when you check the cat’s outer ear area. Do not put any objects or items down the cat’s inner ear when examining it. Only look at the outer ear as best you can.
3. Notice if there are scratches on the cat’s ears, face, or head. Cats with ruptured eardrums may scratch at their ears, face, or head to try to address the irritation in their ears. If the cat has scratches or surface wounds in these areas, it may be because there is an issue with its eardrums.
4. Check if the cat has no appetite. Cats who have medical issues tend to stop eating due to a general feeling of unwellness. Notice if the cat has not eaten its cat food or any treats in 24 hours. If it has no appetite as well as other symptoms, it may have a medical issue.

Website: Wikihow.com

Category: Use to in a sentence

Polyps

Ruptured Ear DrumNeeds Rescue! The Rabbit Haven

3 hours ago She has a ruptured ear drum reported due to head trauma. She needs rescue by 3-30-SAT) ASAP! Here is a video of Jillian. Hello, my name is Jillian and I am so scared. I can stand or walk right and when I do I roll over. I have a hard time eating and being safe. I need help. I have a ruptured ear drum.

Website: Therabbithaven.org

Category: Use words in a sentence

Ruptured Eardrum (Discharge Care) What You Need to Know

1 hours ago A ruptured eardrum is a tear or hole in your eardrum. DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS: Medicines: Antibiotic ear drops may be needed to treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him or her if you are

Website: Drugs.com

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Prevent, Provider

ENT – Perforated Eardrum in Pensacola, FL

Insight into ear injuries

• What is a perforated eardrum?
• What causes eardrum perforation?
• How is hearing affected by a perforated eardrum?
• and more…

A hole or rupture in the eardrum, a thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear, is called a perforated eardrum. The medical term for eardrum is tympanic membrane. The middle ear is connected to the nose by the eustachian tube, which equalizes pressure in the middle ear.

A perforated eardrum is often accompanied by decreased hearing and occasional discharge. Pain is usually not persistent.

What causes eardrum perforation?

The causes of a perforated eardrum are usually from trauma or infection. A perforated eardrum from trauma can occur:

• If the ear is struck directly
• With a skull fracture
• After a sudden explosion
• If an object (such as a bobby pin, Q-tip, or stick) is pushed too far into the ear canal
• As a result of acid or hot slag (from welding) entering the ear canal

Middle ear infections may cause pain, hearing loss, and spontaneous rupture (tear) of the eardrum, resulting in a perforation. In this circumstance, there maybe infected or bloody drainage from the ear. In medical terms, this is called otitis media with perforation. 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 pressure-equalizing (PE) 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 heal. 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 hole. The location of the perforation also affects the degree of hearing loss. If severe trauma (e.g., skull fracture) dislocates the bones in the middle ear which transmit sound, or injures the inner ear structures, hearing loss may be severe.

If the perforated eardrum is caused by a sudden traumatic or explosive event, the loss of hearing can be great and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) may be severe. In this case, hearing usually returns partially, and the ringing diminishes in a few days. 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. It also may prevent the development of cholesteatoma (skin cyst in the middle ear), which can cause chronic infection and destruction of ear structures.

If the perforation is very small, an otolaryngologist may choose to observe the perforation over time to see if it will close spontaneously. He or she might try to patch a patient’s eardrum in the office. Working with a microscope, your doctor may touch the edges of the eardrum with a chemical to stimulate growth and then place a thin paper patch on the eardrum. Usually with closure of the tympanic membrane, hearing is improved. Several applications of a patch (up to three or four) 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.

There are a variety of surgical techniques, but most involve grafting skin tissue across the perforation to allow healing. The name of this procedure is called tympanoplasty. Surgery is typically quite successful in repairing the perforation, restoring or improving hearing, and is often done on an outpatient basis.

Your doctor will advise you regarding the proper management of a perforated eardrum.

>Unit Five: Tympanic Membrane Perforations

>Unit Five: Tympanic Membrane Perforations

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A perforation is a hole in the tympanic membrane that is visible through the otoscope. This section contains information on acute traumatic, central, marginal, attic, and total perforations along with information on the monomeric tympanic membrane. Click on the arrow to view the video

Information: An acute traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane is due to an impact to the head/ear or penetration of an object through the ear canal. For a perforation to occur, a pressure increase of 25 lb./sq.in. is required to the head. This may result in a temporal bone fracture, allowing leakage of cerebrospinal fluid into the middle ear space. Perforations due to instrumentation, such as Q-tips,and to fireworks and waterskiing accidents are common.They may cause a mild to moderate hearing loss, depending on the size of the perforation. The hearing loss is never severe because of the perforation alone. If severe deafness occurs, it is a sign of additional inner ear trauma. Perforations can also lead to infection and drainage. Most traumatic perforations heal spontaneously, usually within a month.

Signs andsymptoms include pain, bleeding, dysequilibrium/imbalance, and tympanic membrane perforation. The perforation usually heals spontaneously. A sound pressure levelof 195-199dB is required to cause a perforation in the tympanic membrane. An audiogram is required to discover disruption of the ossicles. Surgical intervention to realign the middle ear ossicles may be necessary if a discontinuity of the ossicles occurs.

Central Perforation

History:
This is 30 year old male who came in with complaints of hearing loss, but no pain. Past medical history was positive for recurrent ear infections as a child and myringotomies with tube placement multiple times. His last ear examination was 10 years ago.

Examination:
This is a central perforation with a rim of intact TM around the edges of the perforation. The perforation is dry, no granulation tissue is seen, and the middle ear mucosa is normal.

Information: A central perforation is a perforation in the pars tensa that leaves an intact portion of the tympanic membrane between the rim of the perforation and the bony canal. The fibrous annulus, the tickened portion of the TM near the bony canal, is also intact. This perforation usually follows an upper respiratory infection or fluid in the middle ear. The handle of the malleus may project into the perforation.

Signs and symptoms may include a mild to moderate hearing loss if the perforation is large. Small perforations may be asymptomatic. Purulent otorrhea indicates superimposed infection or chronic otitis media. Complications include aural polyps, necrosis of the incus, and cholesteatomas.

Marginal Perforation

History:A 55 year old male returns to the clinic because of hearing loss. He has a life-long history of repeated ear perforations and multiple ear surgeries.

Examination:
The TM has a posterior marginal perforation in the pars tensa.

Information: A marginal perforation is a perforation that has an area with no tympanic membrane between the perforation and the bony canal. Because of this, squamous epithelium may grow into to the middle ear cavity. This perforation is often associated with a cholesteatoma but is usually the result of acute necrotizing otitis media destroying the annulus and mucous membrane. Usually it is seen posteriorly, meaning the perforation may have originated from a retraction pocket.

Signs and symptoms include conductive hearing loss and otorrhea. Complications are the same as for otitis media.

Total Perforation

History:
This is an 89 year old woman who had suffered from scarlet fever as a child. She has had difficulty hearing most of her life. She has no pain and no drainage. Her audiogram indicates a severe to profound mixed hearing loss.

Examination:
Note the complete loss of the pars tensa of the TM. Click on the arrow to view the video

Information: A complete absence of the tympanic membrane. The mallens is retracted medially and cannot be seen. Large perforations such as this occurred commonly with strep infections and chronic otitis media. They cause a moderate conductive hearing loss

Monomere

History:

A 14 year old male is seen for a routine high school physical. He has no complaints. His father states that “he had ear infections as a child and had ruptured ear drums on several occasions”. There was no problem with school hearing tests.

Examination:
Notice the transparent area posterior to the malleus. There is absence of the middle, fibrous layer resulting in the transparency. Frequently, this is mistaken for a perforation, but note that the middle ear space cannot be clearly seen. Pneumo-otoscopy can also be helpful to differentiate a monomere from a perforation.Click the arrow to view the video

Information: A monomere is a area of thin, transparent tympanic membrane due to the absence of the dense fibrous layer. It usually occurs after a perforation. A monomere will not usually affect the audiogram. The tympanogram may be normal or show increased mobility with a higher peak at the normal pressure. Momomeres are usually not a problem unless the patient experiences severe and sudden pressure changes. They can perforate more easily than normal TM.

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Blockage Symptoms, How to Remove & Clean

Overview

What is earwax?

Earwax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears. The ear wax has both lubricating and antibacterial properties. Most of the time, the old earwax is moved through the ear canal by jaw motions like chewing while the skin in your ear grows from the inside out. When it reaches the outside of the ear, it flakes off.

Earwax is produced in the outer part of the ear canal, not deep inside the ear. Earwax is made up of dead skin cells and hair that is combined with the discharge from two different glands.

What does it mean when earwax becomes impacted?

We say that earwax is impacted when it has built up in the ear canal to such a point that there may be signs that something isn’t quite right. It’s important to note that most people might never need to clean their ears. Ears are designed to clean themselves. Earwax buildup and blockage often happens when people use items like cotton swabs or bobby pins to try to clean their ears. This only pushes the earwax farther into the ears and can also cause injury to the ear.

What are possible complications of earwax buildup and blockage?

If left untreated, excessive earwax may cause symptoms of earwax blockage to become worse. These symptoms might include hearing loss, ear irritation, etc. A buildup of earwax might also make it difficult to see into the ear, which may result in potential problems going undiagnosed.

Does the color of earwax mean anything?

Healthy earwax comes in a range of colors, but sometimes color does have meaning. First you have to consider if you have wet earwax or dry earwax.

Wet earwax comes in a range of colors including light yellow, honey-color, and orange-brown. Wet earwax is sticky. Dry earwax is likely to be whitish or gray in color and is flaky.

Generally, in either case, darker colored earwax is older earwax. It is more likely to contain dust and has had more exposure to the air.

If your earwax is more of a discharge, like it contains white or greenish pus, or you find it caked on your pillow after sleeping, you should contact your healthcare provider. You should also contact your healthcare provider if you see blood or if your earwax is quite obviously black.

There’s another interesting thing related to having wet or dry earwax. People of European and African descent overwhelmingly have wet earwax. People of Asian, East Asian and Native American descent overwhelmingly have dry earwax. This is due to a genetic difference. In addition, people with wet earwax are more likely to need deodorant. People with dry earwax lack a chemical that makes sweat smell.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of earwax buildup and blockage?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• A feeling of fullness in the ear.
• Pain in the ear.
• Difficulty hearing, which may continue to worsen.
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
• A feeling of itchiness in the ear.
• Discharge or odor coming from the ear.
• Dizziness.

Diagnosis and Tests

Who experiences earwax buildup?

Earwax buildup can happen to anyone. It’s estimated to be present in about 10% of children and 5% of adults who are healthy.

However, it is more likely to occur in:

• People who use hearing aids, ear plugs or ear buds.
• People with a lot of ear hair or who have certain skin conditions.
• People who put cotton swabs or other items into their ears.
• Older people.
• People with developmental disabilities.
• People with ear canals shaped in such a way as to interfere with natural wax removal.

Children

Children produce earwax. Unless they produce too much, you should be careful about cleaning their ears. Only use a washcloth to clean the outside. Don’t worry about it unless there are signs that your child is being bothered by earwax buildup. These signs may include pulling or tugging at the ears, putting things into the ears or problems with hearing. If this happens, contact your healthcare provider.

Older adults

Older adults may have difficulty with earwax buildup if they wear hearing aids. They might also just ignore their ears. Earwax buildup can cause significant hearing loss and should be addressed.

How is earwax buildup and blockage diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can look into your ears with a special instrument, called an otoscope, to see if earwax buildup is present.

Management and Treatment

How is earwax buildup and blockage treated?

Earwax can be removed in several ways. Some of these methods can be done at home.

You can clean the outside of the ear by wiping with a cloth. Don’t wad up the cloth and push it into the ear canal.

You can use cerumenolytic solutions (solutions to dissolve wax) into the ear canal. These solutions include:

• Mineral oil.
• Baby oil.
• Glycerin.
• Hydrogen peroxide or peroxide-based ear drops (such as Debrox®).
• Saline solution.

With these solutions, you put a few drops into the affected ear with a dropper and lie on the opposite side so that the solution can drip into your affected ear. You can also soak a cotton ball and put it over the affected ear and let the solution drip into the ear.

Another option is irrigating or syringing the ear. This involves using a syringe to rinse out the ear canal with water or saline solution. Generally, this is done after the wax has been softened or dissolved by a cerumenolytic.

Finally, your healthcare provider can remove the wax manually using special instruments. The provider might use a cerumen spoon, forceps, or suction device.

Note: Your ears _should not _be irrigated if you have, or think you have, a perforation (hole) in your eardrum or if you have tubes in the affected ear(s).

How not to clean your ears

Don’t use suction devices for home use (such as Wax-Vac®). They aren’t effective for most people and aren’t recommended.

Ear candles, which are advertised as a natural method to remove earwax, are ineffective. They can also cause injuries such as burns to the external ear and ear canal and perforation of the eardrum.

Prevention

How can I prevent earwax buildup and blockage?

Don’t stick anything into your ears to clean them. Use cotton swabs only on the outside of the ear. If you have to have your earwax removed by a healthcare provider more than once a year, you should ask them what they suggest to stop earwax from building up.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Remember, earwax on its own isn’t bad. It’s designed to help keep your ears from getting infected. However, if it builds up, it can cause problems by irritating your ears and preventing you from hearing well. It’s only safe to clean the outside of the ears and to use drops or water to soften earwax. You should always contact your healthcare provider to remove earwax using an instrument.

Perforation of the tympanic membrane

A large number of patients decide on an operation to “close the hole in the membrane” because it interferes with life – the ear is wet, sometimes pus is released, hears worse, and the noise in the ear gets bored. But often, an ear with a perforated eardrum behaves “well”. This is the so-called “dry ear”, when the patient does not feel the pathological processes that take place in the tympanic cavity.

Years go by, and it may happen that behind visible well-being is a condition that threatens the development of complications – chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma.

The eardrum is a barrier to infection from the ear canal. Breaking this barrier is the gateway to infection.

That is why the perforation of the tympanic membrane must be closed. The operation for plastic surgery of the tympanic membrane defect is called myringoplasty .

There are 2 reasons for perforation of the tympanic membrane:

1. Infection.
   In most cases, perforation of the tympanic membrane is the result of acute otitis media.However, most often, as the inflammatory process subsides, the perforation closes on its own.
   Chronic suppurative otitis media is characterized by persistent perforation of the tympanic membrane. Perforation can be central (mesotympanitis) and marginal (epitympanitis).
2. Injury.
   Eardrum ruptures occur both in wartime (explosions, contusions) and in peacetime (blows to the ear, cleaning the ear canal with various objects, damage during medical procedures).
   A characteristic sign of the formation of a traumatic perforation of the membrane is bleeding or secretion from the ear canal, hearing loss immediately after the injury.

Central perforation of the tympanic membrane Scheme of sampling a piece of temporal fascia

When to operate?

• when there is a perforation of the b / membrane, reduced hearing in this ear according to the conductive (associated with sound conduction) type
• when there are retraction pockets (retraction of the membrane into the cavity)
• when there is cholesteatoma, chronic mastoiditis, tympanoplasty is planned

Operation “Tympanoplasty” Reconstructed tympanic membrane (operation stage)

The operation is performed both under local anesthesia and under anesthesia using a microscope.The material for closing the defect, as a rule, is the temporal fascia taken from the patient’s ear region. Rehabilitation 14-16 days. Stay in the hospital for 2-3 days.

Additional information in the section “FAQ”

90,000 🧬 Why does your ears get stuck in flight and what should you do in this case?

Some people experience ear pain the moment they land. The pain can occur as early as the descent of the aircraft and becomes very intense at the time of landing.As a rule, discomfort disappears soon after landing. Such problems are sometimes referred to as aerootitis or airplane ear. Together with the otolaryntologist of GMS Clinic, Shmeleva Lyubov Petrovna, we will try to figure out why this occurs, whether it can be avoided and what to do if the problem does arise. What makes the ears stick.

The pain is caused by the pressure difference between the air in the middle ear and the outside air. The small space in the middle ear behind the eardrum (tympanic cavity) is normally filled with air.This airspace is connected to the back of the nose (nasopharynx) by a narrow channel called the Eustachian tube.

The air pressure on both sides of the eardrum should be the same. The atmospheric pressure is the greater, the closer to the earth’s surface. During landing, the plane descends and the air pressure rises accordingly. Air begins to press on the eardrum, which causes it to be drawn inward. Dragging in can be quite painful.To counteract this, the pressure inside the middle ear must also increase. To do this, air must travel up the Eustachian tube into the middle ear. The eustachian tube is usually closed, but it does open from time to time when a person swallows, yawns, or chews. For most people, the usual swallowing and chewing movements quickly open the Eustachian tube, allowing air to flow into the tympanic cavity to equalize pressure. For some people, the Eustachian tube does not open as easily and therefore the pressure cannot be equalized as quickly.In addition, the Eustachian tube may be narrower than usual. A common cause of a blocked Eustachian tube is inflammation from a cold, runny nose, sore throat, or allergies.

How to prevent ear pain

Ideally, anyone with ear infections, colds, or respiratory infections should not fly. However, not everyone can cancel their work or vacation travel for these reasons.

The following steps can help people who experience ear pain when flying:

• Stay awake when the plane lands.Ask the flight attendant to wake you up when the plane begins to descend. When you are awake, you can chew or swallow – this evens out the pressure in the ear and makes it possible to avoid pain and discomfort. Do not allow babies to sleep during landing. Give them a drink or feed them. If the baby is screaming, do not try to calm him down – screaming also helps open the Eustachian tube and equalize the pressure.
• Suck up the candy as the plane begins to descend.Air will enter the eustachian tube into the tympanic cavity if you swallow, yawn, or chew.
• Put on ear plugs or headphones with thick ear pads. Earplugs are often sold at airports and many pharmacies. They slow down the rate of change in air pressure in the ear canal and thereby reduce the pressure on the eardrum. Follow the instructions that come with them. You can use them during the entire flight, or only during the climb and altitude and during the descent.

How to reduce ear pain

Take a deep breath, then try to exhale gently with your mouth closed and your nose pinched. Thus, the air is not exhaled outside, but passes into the Eustachian tube. If you do this correctly, you can feel the air being “pushed” into the middle ear and hear a soft click or popping sound. Repeat this whenever you feel discomfort in your ear.

Use a vasoconstrictor spray if you are flying with severe swelling in the nasal cavity.For example, drugs containing xylometazoline or oxymetazoline. Spray into the nose about an hour before the expected start time of planting, repeat after thirty minutes.

Take an antihistamine before your flight if your nasal congestion is not caused by a cold, but allergies. This will relieve the swelling and avoid the problem of discomfort in the ears.

When to see a doctor

If you can’t prevent congestion and ear pain, don’t worry.Although the pain can be very intense, it usually goes away quickly. Use pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen. If you had a cold before your flight, your Eustachian tube may remain blocked for a long time after landing. If pain persists or hearing loss persists, see your doctor. And if you find the appearance of blood from the ear canal (a sign of a ruptured eardrum), then this is an indication for an urgent medical examination.

It’s easy to stay healthy with GMS Clinic!

Source: mommys.ru

The first artificial tympanic membrane was printed in Moscow

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So far she has been transplanted only to a chinchilla, and in the future she will help restore hearing to people

The first artificial eardrum in Russia, which is absolutely similar in structure and function to the real one, was created by scientists from the Sechenov University in Moscow.

As the director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine of the First Honey Petr Timashev told MK, at present many people, and not only the elderly, have a perforation of the eardrum, in other words, it turns out to be perforated. Such a gap may appear even in children who often suffer from otitis media. Therefore, it was decided to create, as an experiment, an artificial eardrum, completely repeating the natural one, which could eliminate the defect.

– We printed it on a unique bioprinter. This is an innovative technology – bioprinting based on laser-induced cell transfer. With its help, it is possible to operate with high accuracy with such objects as biomolecules and cells of human or animal tissues, explains Timashev. – Therefore, our membrane completely consists of tissue cells with the inclusion of vessels and capillaries.

According to Zhanna Mokoyan, an assistant at the Department of Ear, Mountain and Nose Diseases at the University, now during operations, surgeons, as a rule, close the perforation with cartilage, perichondrium or a piece of film covering the muscles (the so-called fascia) of the patient himself.However, all of them, due to their characteristics, cannot repeat the biomechanics of the natural membrane. Therefore, even after a successful operation, a person’s hearing is not fully restored. In addition, these materials are often completely rejected by the body.

By now, scientists have already carried out the first experiments on chinchillas, transplanting particles of a new artificial membrane into their ears.

“The experiments have shown excellent results,” says Mokoyan. – The perforation has closed, and even layers have recovered, like a natural membrane.

Soon, surgeons are planning to start performing operations using a membrane from a 3D printer to humans.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 28033 dated July 27, 2019

Newspaper headline:
The “patch” for the ear was printed on the printer

90,000 Perforation of the tympanic membrane – causes and treatment

The eardrum is located between the outer and middle ear.It plays an important role in the human auditory system, vibrating and passing sound vibrations through itself. Therefore, perforation of the eardrum is a dangerous condition that causes pain, hearing impairment, discomfort and serious harm to a person.

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What is tympanic membrane perforation?

Eardrum perforation is a condition in which its anatomical integrity is compromised.Simply put, it is tissue rupture, as a result of which the membrane cannot fulfill its functional role. It occurs as a result of mechanical stress and other reasons. In this case, the person loses the ability to hear normally and feels pain in the ear.

This phenomenon is classified according to various parameters. For example, according to localization, it is central and marginal, according to etiology – traumatic and inflammatory. Also, according to the degree of rupture, subtotal (partial) and total (complete) perforation are distinguished.

Causes of occurrence

When a person has a perforation of the tympanic membrane, the causes depend on the type of exposure to which the membrane was exposed.

Injury

Quite often, the septum is mechanically damaged when a person cleans the ear with a cotton swab or other sharp object. The desire to keep your ear canals clean is logical, but you shouldn’t be so zealous. After all, you can accidentally injure the membrane.

Another common injury-related cause of perforation is scuba diving.If a diver forgot to blow out the middle ear during a dive, a membrane ruptured, and water got into the tympanic cavity, it will take a long time to heal. Therefore, it is important to take precautions when diving.

Otitis media

The ear membrane can rupture in various diseases of the ENT organs. For example, purulent otitis media with perforation of the tympanic membrane is quite common. Under constant pressure from pus, the septum becomes thinner and begins to rot. As a result, its integrity is violated, which is accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms.

Such conditions are dangerous because the inflammatory process can affect not only the eardrum, but also other structures – the inner ear, the lining of the brain. Therefore, it is important to correctly treat ENT diseases, avoiding a purulent form.

Noise damage

The membrane may burst when exposed to strong acoustic pressure. For example, when a person is near sources of loud sounds. The danger is also the seemingly “innocent” sneezing with a pinched nose.The diaphragm cannot withstand the generated pressure, which does not find a way out.

Another place where eardrum perforation can occur is in the airplane. During the climb and decrease in altitude, a pressure drop occurs, which the membrane often cannot withstand. Therefore, it is better to take special earplugs with you to protect your ears and avoid injury.

Acoustic trauma

Occurs when explosions, shots are heard near a person, pyrotechnics are working.Any intense noise can damage the eardrum. Therefore, it often breaks in people working in noisy industries.

Symptoms

The moment of damage to the membrane is usually accompanied by severe pain. This applies to cases where it breaks due to pressure drop, as well as loud noises and mechanical factors. Perforation due to purulent processes usually occurs with less severe pain and may even bring some relief.

Perforation always occurs with hearing loss.In addition, a person may experience the following symptoms:

• Auricular noise
• Dizziness
• Discharge from the ear of blood, mucous membranes, purulent masses

Diagnostics

Timely diagnosis and treatment of tympanic membrane perforation is very important. In order to see the gap, the ENT uses an endoscopic examination technique – otoscopy. A special device equipped with light optics is inserted into the ear. It allows you to see how and in what places the integrity of the tympanic membrane is violated.During endoscopy, not only membrane defects are clearly visible, but also accumulations of mucus, pus, and hemorrhages.

In addition, accompanying studies can be carried out. If the rupture is caused by purulent processes, a smear is taken on the microflora. In the case of a chronic process, computed tomography may be needed. To determine whether hearing loss is a consequence of an injury to the tympanic membrane, tests are performed with a tuning fork, audiometry, and tympanometry.

Treatment

Often the main advisers of a person with a perforation of the eardrum are the forum and friends.This is wrong and can lead to serious complications. Only professional treatment of perforation of the tympanic membrane by an otolaryngologist will help restore its integrity quickly and without defects. If you are engaged in amateur performances, it can grow together with adhesions.

When a perforation of the tympanic membrane is found, treatment is selected depending on the cause. If it is otitis media, then antibiotics and other medications are prescribed. In other cases, special ear drops may be used when the tympanic membrane is perforated to speed up healing.But not all ear drops are allowed with perforation of the eardrum, so only an otolaryngologist can pick them up normally. In difficult situations, you have to resort to surgical methods.

Complications

When there is a perforation of the tympanic membrane, the consequences can be as follows:

• Dysfunction of the auditory ossicles
• Mixed and conductive hearing disorders
• Incorrect fusion of the membrane with solders

Realizing the danger of this injury, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Prevention

• Do not clean ears with sharp objects
• Use protective earplugs when traveling by plane
• Timely treat otitis media
• Avoid noisy places
• Use protective equipment against loud sounds
• Observe safety precautions when diving

If the damage happened, the Betterton Center will always help you!

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About the author:

Otolaryngologist (ENT) for children and adults

ENT doctor Mazanovich A.V. is engaged in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of inflammatory, allergic, degenerative processes in the ear, nose, pharynx and larynx.

Work experience:

4 years

Latest publications from the author

A ruptured eardrum: possible causes and consequences

A ruptured eardrum is a mechanical injury to the thin tissue that separates the ear canal and middle ear.As a result of such an injury, a person can completely or partially lose hearing. In addition, without natural defenses, the middle ear remains vulnerable to infection and other physical damage. Typically, a hole or rupture in the tympanic membrane will heal on its own within a few weeks and no treatment is required. In difficult cases, doctors may prescribe special procedures or surgery to ensure that the wound heals normally.

Symptoms

Signs of a ruptured eardrum are as follows:

• Pain in the ear that can start abruptly and disappear abruptly.
• Clear, purulent or bloody discharge from the ear.
• Hearing loss.
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
• Dizziness (vertigo).
• Nausea or vomiting as a result of dizziness.

When to see a doctor

Schedule an appointment with your clinic or health care center if you experience the characteristic symptoms of a ruptured or minor injury to your eardrum, or if you experience pain or discomfort in your ears.The middle ear, like the inner ear, consists of very fragile fragments and is vulnerable to disease and injury. Timely, adequate treatment is of the utmost importance to maintain normal hearing.

Causes

The main causes of a ruptured tympanic membrane can be summarized as follows:

• Middle ear infection (otitis media). As a result of an infection, fluid builds up in the middle ear, which puts excessive pressure on the eardrum and thereby damages it.
• Barotrauma is damage resulting from strong tension on thin tissue caused by pressure differences in the middle ear and in the environment. Pressing too hard can rupture the eardrum. Closely associated with barotrauma is the so-called plugged ears syndrome, from which almost all passengers of air transport suffer. Pressure drops are also common in scuba diving. In addition, any direct blow to the ear is potentially dangerous, even if the blow was caused by a deployed airbag in the vehicle.
• Low sounds and explosions (acoustic trauma). A ruptured eardrum, the symptoms of which will be obvious in the blink of an eye, often occurs under the influence of too loud sounds (explosions, gunfire). An overly powerful sound wave can seriously damage the delicate structure of the ears.
• Foreign objects in the ear. Small objects like a cotton swab or hair clip can puncture or even rupture your eardrum.
• Severe head injury. Traumatic brain injuries cause dislocation and damage to the structure of the middle and inner ear, including a ruptured eardrum.A head blow can crack the skull, it is this circumstance that most often serves as a prerequisite for a breakthrough in a thin tissue.

Complications

The tympanic membrane has two main functions:

• Hearing. When sound waves hit the membrane, it begins to vibrate. The structures of the middle and inner ear recognize these vibrations and translate sound waves into nerve impulses.
• Protection. The eardrum also acts as a natural protective barrier, keeping water, bacteria, and other foreign matter out of the middle ear.

In case of injury, complications can arise both during the healing process and if the eardrum cannot completely overgrow. Potentially possible:

• Hearing loss. As a rule, hearing disappears only for a while, until the hole in the eardrum disappears on its own. However, many patients of otorhinolaryngologists note a noticeable decrease in the quality of hearing, even after the breakthrough is completely overgrown. Much depends on the location and size of the wound.
• Middle ear infection (otitis media).A ruptured eardrum in a child or adult makes it easier for bacteria to enter the ear canal. If the tissue does not heal on its own and the patient does not seek medical attention, there is a high risk of developing untreatable (chronic) infectious diseases that can ultimately lead to complete hearing loss.
• Middle ear cyst (cholesteatoma). A cholesteatoma, or pearl tumor, is a cyst made up of skin cells and necrotic tissue. If the eardrum is damaged, dead skin cells and other organic debris can enter the middle ear and form a cyst.Cholesteatoma provides a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and contains proteins that can weaken the bones of the middle ear.

Before visiting a doctor

When you think you have a ruptured eardrum, your symptoms provide a relatively accurate indication of injury. If the quality of your hearing has noticeably decreased, make an appointment with a specialist. You can first visit a therapist, but to save time, it is recommended to immediately go to an appointment with an otorhinolaryngologist.

Before visiting a specialist, it is advisable to think about what you are going to tell about your ailment. In order not to forget anything, record the key information in writing. It is advisable to describe in detail:

• symptoms bothering you, including those that do not seem to be related to damage to the eardrum and are not associated with hearing loss, watery discharge or other typical signs of injury;
• Recent experiences in your life that could cause ear damage, including infections, sports injuries, air travel;
• medicines, including vitamin and mineral complexes and biologically active food supplements, which you are currently taking;
• Questions to ask your doctor.

If you suspect a ruptured eardrum from otitis media or from a stroke, consider asking the ENT specialist the following questions:

• Is my eardrum ruptured?
• If not, what is the reason for my hearing impairment and other symptoms of impairment?
• If the tympanic membrane is damaged, what should I do to protect my ear from possible infections during the natural healing process?
• Do I need to make an appointment again so you can check how well the tissue has healed?
• When should you consider prescribing specific treatments?

Feel free to ask other questions to the specialist.

What will the doctor say

Otorhinolaryngologist, in turn, asks the following:

• When did you first notice the symptoms of trauma?
• A ruptured eardrum of the ear is often accompanied by pain and dizziness. Have you noticed similar signs of tissue damage? How quickly did they go?
• Have you had ear infections?
• Have you been exposed to excessively loud sounds?
• Have you recently swam in a natural pond or pool? Did you scuba dive?
• Have you recently traveled by plane?
• When was the last time you had a head injury?
• How do you clean your ears? Are you using any items for cleaning?

Before consultation

If the scheduled appointment with the otorhinolaryngologist has not yet come, and you suspect you have a ruptured eardrum from a blow, you should not start treatment on your own initiative.It is better to take all possible measures to prevent ear infections. Try to keep your ears clean and dry, refrain from swimming, and make sure that water does not get inside the ears while bathing or showering. To protect your injured ear during water treatment, insert elastic waterproof silicone ear plugs or a cotton ball soaked in petroleum jelly every time.

Do not use any type of ear drops purchased from a pharmacy on your own; medications can only be prescribed by a doctor and only for the treatment of infectious diseases associated with damage to the tympanic membrane.

Diagnostics

To determine the presence and extent of damage, the ENT usually visually examines the ear using a special illuminated instrument – an otoscope. If, on a superficial examination, it is not possible to accurately determine the cause or extent of the rupture, the doctor may prescribe additional diagnostic examinations, including:

• Laboratory tests. If you notice discharge from your damaged ear, your otorhinolaryngologist will likely order a laboratory test or culture of a sample of the discharge to determine the type of infection that has affected the middle ear.
• Evaluation of hearing with a tuning fork. Tuning forks are two-pronged metal instruments that make a sound when struck. A simple examination with their help will allow the doctor to diagnose hearing loss. In addition, the use of a tuning fork allows you to determine what caused the hearing loss: damage to the vibrating parts of the middle ear (including the eardrum), injury to the receptors or nerves of the inner ear, or both.
• Tympanometry. A tympanometer is a device that is placed in the ear canal to measure the response of the tympanic membrane to small changes in air pressure.Certain response patterns may indicate a ruptured eardrum, the symptoms of which, in some cases, do not even cause much concern to the patient.
• Surdological examination. If other tests and analyzes have not yielded significant results, the doctor will order an audiological examination, which means a series of strictly verified tests carried out in a soundproof booth to assess the patient’s perception of sounds of different loudness and at different frequencies.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with a common, uncomplicated rupture of the tympanic membrane, the consequences are most likely to be the most favorable: in the worst case, you will expect only mild hearing impairment on the affected side.If there are signs of infection, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic in the form of ear drops (Otipax, Sofradex, Otinum). If the breakout does not heal on its own, you may need to use special procedures to ensure that the eardrum is completely healed. ENT can prescribe:

• Applying a special plaster to the eardrum. This is a fairly simple procedure in which the doctor treats the edges of the tear with a substance that stimulates cell growth, and seals the damage with a special material that serves as a kind of plaster for the injured tissue.You will most likely have to repeat this step several times before the eardrum completely heals.
• Surgical operation. If the patch does not work, or the doctor seriously doubts that a simple procedure will heal a ruptured eardrum, he or she will recommend surgical treatment. The most common operation is called tympanoplasty. The surgeon will make an incision over the ear, remove a tiny piece of tissue, and use it to close the gap in the eardrum.This is a simple operation and most patients return home the same day.

At home

It is not always necessary to contact a specialist for medical advice and diagnosis. For many people diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum, treatment is only to protect the injured ear from new damage and to prevent possible infections. The self-healing process takes several weeks. Regardless of whether you see an otorhinolaryngologist or not, take all possible measures to protect the damaged ear from complications.Doctors recommend following these guidelines:

• Keep your ear dry. Use waterproof silicone ear plugs or a cotton ball soaked in petroleum jelly into your outer ear every time you bathe or shower.
• Refrain from cleaning. Do not use any substance or object to clean your ears, even if specifically designed for that purpose. Give your eardrum time to heal completely.
• Don’t blow your nose. Blowing pressure can damage already injured tissue.

Prevention

To prevent rupture of the tympanic membrane, follow the guidelines below:

• treat middle ear infections in a timely manner;
• Provide proper protection for your ears when traveling by air;
• Avoid cleaning your ears with foreign objects, including cotton swabs and paper clips;
• Wear headphones or earplugs if your work involves excessively loud noise.

Following these simple tips will protect your eardrums from damage.

Injuries to the outer ear – Damage to the tympanic membrane: causes, symptoms, medical care, treatment in Moscow

Article rating

Publication date: 2015-04-02

Update date: 2021-04-20

Damage to the tympanic membrane is its rupture, which can occur under the influence of various objects trapped in the external auditory canal, as well as thickening or rarefaction of air in the external auditory canal and violation of the rules of compression and decompression.

Causes and course of the disease

Damage to the tympanic membrane can be direct or indirect.

Direct damage to the tympanic membrane occurs:

• when using items such as matches, hairpins and similar items to clean the ear. In case of an accidental strong shock, they can damage the eardrum;
• when trying to remove a foreign body from the external auditory canal on your own;
• with a longitudinal fracture of the temporal bone pyramid, if the fracture line passes through the tympanic membrane.

Indirect fractures occur in the following cases:

• with a sudden strong discharge and thickening of air in the external auditory canal, which can occur when jumping from a height into the water, hitting the ear with the palm of your hand, or falling on the auricle area;
• when exposed to an air wave in a close explosion;
• in case of violation of compression and decompression rules by divers.

Clinical presentation

In very rare cases, lesions are limited to punctate hemorrhages in the thickness of the tympanic membrane.Much more often there are ruptures of the tympanic membrane of various shapes or its complete destruction, which depends entirely on the mechanism and strength of the traumatic effect. Injuries to the tympanic membrane are accompanied by the following symptoms: sharp pain in the ear, noise or ringing in the ear, and hearing loss. Through the perforation, the medial wall of the tympanic cavity of the middle ear can be seen.

Friends! Timely and correct treatment will provide you with a speedy recovery!

Treatment

First aid consists of inserting a turunda with an antiseptic, non-alcoholic solution into the ear canal.You can not carry out any other manipulations, such as: remove blood clots, rinse or dry the area of ​​the ear canal. Only in the case of the appearance of purulent discharge from the ear, treatment is prescribed, the same as in acute purulent otitis media. Do not allow any water to enter the ear until the integrity of the eardrum is completely restored. With this pathology, it is effective to connect to the treatment sessions of laser therapy, magnetotherapy and sessions of ultrasonic medicinal irrigation. If the edges of the rupture of the tympanic membrane are not overgrown, surgical plastic surgery of the tympanic membrane is performed 1-2 months after the injury – myringotympanoplasty.

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Forecast

The forecast is generally favorable, but largely depends on the correctness of the chosen tactics of the otorhinolaryngologist.

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