1. Anatomy of an Ear Infection Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Ear Infection Quiz
3. Tinnitus (Ringing of the Ears) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Infection of the middle ear is the most common cause of a ruptured eardrum.

• Infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
  
  
• Infections increase the pressure behind your eardrum, stretching the drum and causing pain.
  
  
  • When the eardrum can no longer stretch, it bursts or tears.
    
    
  • Frequently, the pain gets better, because the pressure is now relieved, however, sometimes the pain can get worse.

• Trauma can also cause perforation.
  
  
  • Blunt or penetrating trauma, such as from a fall on the side of your head or a stick that goes deep in your ear
    
    
  • Rapid changes in pressure, for example, scuba diving (barotrauma, ear pain, or ear squeeze), or going up in an elevator too fast
  
  
• The eardrum can be ruptured in other ways.
  
  
  • Slaps to the ear, such as a fall while water skiing or a hand slap to the side of the head
    
    
  • Lightning blasts
    
    
  • Blast waves from gunshots, fireworks, and other loud noises
    
    
  • Changes in air pressure during air travel or scuba diving
    
    
  • Sharp objects or cotton-tipped swabs
    
    
  • Motor vehicle accidents
    
    
  • Falls
    
    
  • Sports injuries