Perforated Eardrum (cont.)

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2. Take the Ear Infection Quiz
3. Ear Health Quiz

Ear pain is the most common symptom of a perforated eardrum. The pain can include:

• General discomfort
• Immediate, sharp, or intense pain
• Pain that suddenly gets better
• A feeling as if something is not right with the ear

Other common symptoms and signs of perforated eardrum include:

• Vertigo (spinning sensation)
• Dizziness
• Hearing changes
  • Often with ringing (tinnitus), buzzing, clicking, or other noise
• Hearing loss
• Fluid (may be clear or pus-colored) or blood draining from the ear

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)
• 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 or explosions
• Changes in air pressure during air travel or scuba diving
• Sharp objects or cotton-tipped swabs
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Sports injuries

The doctor can diagnose eardrum rupture by taking a history and looking in the patient's ear with an otoscope - a special magnifier with a light.

• Occasionally, very small holes can be difficult to identify and may require further testing.
• Tympanogram is a test that uses a short burst of air against the eardrum
• Audiogram is a hearing test

• Because most perforated eardrum injuries heal on their own within two months, treatment may include analgesics to alleviate pain and antibiotics to prevent infection.
• The doctor will likely advise the patient to keep the ear clean and dry while healing. This means swimming and scuba diving are not advised until a doctor says it is safe to do so.

If the perforated eardrum is due to a foreign object in the ear, do not try to remove it yourself. Only a medical professional should attempt to remove any foreign bodies in the ear.

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