About this topic
The eardrum is also called the tympanic membrane. It is a part of the ear that controls the sound going into the ear. It protects the inside part of the ear from dirt and other small particles. A ruptured eardrum is a hole or tear in the eardrum. The eardrum can be damaged by: ‚
- Infection
- Very loud noises
- Extreme pressure changes
- Dirt and foreign objects inside the ear
- Trauma to the ear from a head injury
Sometimes, a small hole in your eardrum may heal on its own. Other times, it needs to be repaired. Your eardrum may need to be repaired if: ‚
- The hole is very large
- You have had an infection for a long time and drugs have not helped.
- You have problems with your hearing.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may give you ear drops or pills for pain and infection. Take all the drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about when it is safe for you to travel by plane or go scuba diving or swimming.
- Put 2 to 3 pillows under your head and shoulders when you lie down to rest or go to sleep.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your ears. Ask your doctor about:
- Any drainage you may see coming from your ears. It may be yellow, green, or bloody for a few days. Find out if it is OK to put clean cotton in your ear to capture the drainage.
- When you may take a bath or shower. Ask if you need to take extra care to avoid getting water in your ears.
- How to clean your ears. Do not use swabs.
- If you need to be careful with blowing your nose
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Avoid activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise.
- Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
What problems could happen?
- Hearing loss
- Hole in the eardrum does not close
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Ringing in the ear. This is tinnitus.
- Dizziness or vertigo
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- See your doctor if you think you have an ear infection.
- Keep foreign objects out of your ears. Teach your children that putting things in the ears can harm the eardrum.
- Do not try to remove a foreign object yourself. See your doctor.
- Try chewing gum or yawn during takeoff and landing when flying. This may help keep the ear passages open. Avoid flying if you have ear congestion.
- Protect your ears from loud noises. Wear earplugs or hearing protection when needed.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Dizziness
- Drainage from your ear
- Ear pain
- Loss of hearing
- Have a foreign object in your ear that does not come out
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how I will care for my ears.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have drainage from my ear, ear pain, or loss of hearing.
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/perforated-eardrum/pages/treatment.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚