What is a perforated eardrum?

A perforated eardrum is a condition in which a hole or tear occurs in the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane is a layer of tissue that is present in the middle ear and plays an important role in one’s life. This thin layer receives the vibrations of sound and transmits them to the auditory ossicles. If the eardrum gets perforated, the quality of hearing is also degraded. 

A perforated eardrum needs immediate medical assistance because delaying the treatment can cause severe complications which may result in partial or complete loss of hearing. Usually, if the hole in the eardrum is minor, it either heals on its own, or your ENT doctor would prescribe some medication and eardrops to promote the healing. However, in some cases, if the perforation in the eardrum does not heal on its own, the doctor may advise surgical intervention to fix the hole in the eardrum while improving the hearing ability. 

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  • Inserting any foreign object
  • Sudden exposure to loud music
  • Change in air pressure
  • Deepwater diving
  • Contact sports
  • Trauma
  • Infection in the middle ear due to bacteria
  • Intense earache
  • Change in the quality of hearing
  • Regular ringing sound in the ear
  • Yellow discharge from the ear
  • Itchiness in the ear
  • Increase in body temperature
  • Having ear infections
  • History of eardrum ruptures
  • Previous ear surgery
  • Scuba diving
  • Injury to the ear
  • Inserting foreign objects in the ear
  • Activities that involve rapid pressure changes
  • Exposure to loud noises
  • Get proper rest and limit your activities for the first 7 to 10 days after the surgery.
  • Return to daily activities when you are able to sleep well, eat a regular diet, and no longer need pain medications.
  • Do not strain your nose for 5 to 7 days. If you have to sneeze or cough, do so with your mouth open.
  • Avoid blowing your nose for 2 weeks after surgery.
  • Take pain medications prescribed by the doctor to get relief from the discomfort.
  • Take antibiotic medicines without any failure.
  • Apply antibiotic ointment to the incision 2 times a day.
  • Remove dressing after 24 hours of surgery.
  • Keep your ears dry and avoid washing your hair every day. When you are taking a bath, keep your ears covered or use a petroleum jelly-covered cotton plug/bud to prevent water from entering your ears.
  • There will be some blood-tinged discharge from the ear after a few days of surgery. It is common but if the bleeding persists or the discharge becomes discolored or has a foul odor, contact the doctor immediately.
  • Visit the doctor timely for follow-up appointments.

Frequently Asked Question

The reason for the perforation in the eardrum may vary from one person to another. Some of the common reasons that may result in developing a perforation in the ear are:

  • Listening to loud music
  • Trauma while playing any contact sports
  • Frequent middle ear infection

Generally, the perforation in the eardrum takes 5-8 weeks to heal. However, this is an average duration which may differ depending on the factors like the severity of the perforation in the eardrum, the cause of the hole in the eardrum, etc. You can speak to our expert ENT doctors, who can provide the best treatment for perforated eardrums in Pune.
If the perforation is minor, it can heal on its own. An ENT specialist will prescribe a few medications along with the antibiotics eardrops to support the healing process. However, if the hole in the eardrum is not healing on its own, the doctor may advise surgical intervention to fix the perforation while restoring its normal function.
Some of the most common signs that you may have a perforated eardrum and need medical advice may include:
  • Constant ringing sound in the ear
  • Yellow discharge dripping out of your ear
  • Regular fever
  • Striking earache
  • There is a change in hearing ability
Yes, this condition is usually painful if accompanied by infections. However, if the infection is not there, the individual may not have pain. If you want a cure for ear pain or ringing sound in years due to perforated eardrums, get treated by the best ENT doctor for perforated eardrums in Pune.
Tympanoplasty is the surgery to repair a perforated eardrum. It is a very successful daycare procedure and can be completed in less than 60 minutes. If you wish to discuss more about the surgery and how it can be good for you, you can come and visit our ENT doctor for a perforated eardrum in Pune at our clinic.
Some of the food items you should eat to enhance the quality of healing while supporting the healing process:
  • Lima beans
  • Potatoes
  • Yogurt
  • Low-fat milk
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
  • Raisins
  • Apricots
There are a few things you should avoid if you have a perforated eardrum:
  • Avoid putting any object in your ear in order to eliminate the risk of any injury if it gets too deep inside the ear.
  • Refrain the consumption of alcohol and smoking as it may encourage the infection
  • Avoid listening to loud music
  • Do not travel by airplane if you have a perforated eardrum
  • Avoid swimming if you have a hole in the eardrum
The ear is a sensitive part of the body. The perforation in the tympanic membrane also referred to as eardrum, can affect life’s productivity. If the perforation in the eardrum is left untreated, it may lead to serious health issues such as:
  • Partial or complete loss of hearing
  • Discharge from the ear
  • Cholesteatoma
  • Middle ear infection
  • Bleeding from the ear
Yes. If there is a hole in the eardrum that is not getting healed on its own, may need immediate medical assistance. Delaying the treatment can make the condition worse causing serious complications such as complete loss of hearing or partial loss of hearing.

Are there any home remedies to fix perforation in the eardrum?

There are no home remedies to repair the hole in the eardrum. However, there are some tips that may help you reduce the painful symptoms of perforation in the eardrum. A few of them are using a hot towel to put warm compresses against the affected ear to minimize the earache, avoid putting anything in the ear as it may worsen the condition, and wearing a shower cap while bathing to protect your ear in order to keep water from entering in them. It is always advisable for people suffering from a perforated eardrum not to take over-the-counter medication or antibiotic eardrops. They may result in making the condition worse, causing serious complications. In rare cases, delaying proper treatment and using OTC medicines can make the condition irreversible. It is always a better option to consult an ENT specialist to get a thorough evaluation of the ear to receive proper treatment for a perforated eardrum.

What common questions can you ask an ENT specialist regarding a hole in the eardrum?

A few common questions you can ask an ENT specialist concerning a perforation in the eardrum are:

  • Can a hole in the eardrum heal on its own?
  • How long does it take the perforation to heal with the help of medication?
  • Why am I getting striking earache?
  • What if the perforation does not heal on its own?
  • Can I go swimming if I have a perforated eardrum?
  • Should I avoid going to the gym if I have a hole in the eardrum?
  • Does perforation occur because of an ear infection?

How can I prevent myself from getting perforation in the eardrum?

Some of the tips that help you prevent developing perforation in the eardrum or to avoid the progression of the condition into worse:

  • Avoid blowing your nose with pressure 
  • Do not swim without wearing a cap, as this will keep water from entering the ears
  • Use earplugs while traveling by airplane
  • Do not listen to the music at maximum volume
  • Avoid sneezing your mouth closed

Get Help from ENT Specialists to Resolve A Perforated Eardrum

Though you can visit a primary care provider to get treatment for a perforated eardrum in the earlier stages, the best person to visit is an ENT surgeon. They specialize in treating all kinds of ear, nose, and throat disorders in an optimal way. During your visit, the doctor will diagnose your condition and determine the most plausible method of treatment.  All our surgeons have more than 8 years of experience and ample knowledge on how to minimize the risks and complications associated with the procedure. So, you can sit back and relax while our doctors take care of you and provide advanced treatment for perforated eardrums. 

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