Eardrum perforation

Eardrum perforation refers to a hole or rupture in the eardrum, a thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear. Another medical name for eardrum is tympanic eardrum. The middle ear is connected to the nose by the Eustachian tube, which equalizes pressure in the middle ear.

Signs and Symptoms

There are several signs and symptoms of a perforated eardrum including:

Ear pain
Hearing change or loss
Fluid or blood draining from the ear
Vertigo (spinning sensation)

Causes

Following reasons are responsible for the onset of eardrum perforation including:

Infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi
Infections causing pressure on eardrum
Accident
Blast waves
Falls
Sports injuries
Lightning blasts

Treatment

Following treatment options are available for eardrum perforation:

As most perforated eardrum injuries heal on their own within few weeks, treatment may include analgesics to reduce pain and antibiotics to prevent infection
Myringoplasty – This is a surgical procedure done to treat a perforated eardrum when it fails to heal on its own. It involves using a piece of grafted skin taken from another part of the anatomy and placing and securing it over the hole