Perforated ear drum

PLEASE NOTE - THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. IT IS NOT IN ANY WAY A SUBSTITUTE FOR A SPECIALIST CONSULTATION.

What causes a perforated ear drum?

A perforation (hole) can develop in an ear drum as a result of infection or occasionally trauma, such as something being poked in the ear.

What are the symptoms of a perforated ear drum?

Some patients with a perforated ear drum may not know they have one. However, in others the perforation may cause repeated infections that normally show themselves as a discharge or leakage from the ear. This is not normally painful.

They may, however, notice pain or discomfort if they get any water in their ears, and this may be the trigger for an infection.

The perforation may also be associated with a patial hearing loss, although by no means everyone with a perforation will notice hearing problems.

How can a perforated ear drum be treated?

If the perforation isn't causing any problems, no treatment may be required.

If people are experiencing repeated infections, the first thing we would recommend is being very careful to keep all water out of the ear, if necessary with the help of a custom-fitted ear plug.

If an ear plus isn't effective, or if people are keen to be able to swim, bath or shower without an ear plug, we can discuss the option of an operation to try and seal the perforation.

This operation is called a myringoplasty, and further information regarding the surgery is available elsewhere on this website.

 

ear diagram labelled with lines