When the thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear (the “eardrum”) is pierced or becomes ruptured, there will be decreased hearing and possibly a liquid discharge. A “perforated eardrum” may result from a sudden loud noise (explosion), injury, infection, or chronic Eustachian tube disorders. While most perforated eardrums caused by trauma or an acute ear infection heal on their own within weeks, some may take several months to heal. In the meantime, ears must be protected from water and trauma. However, if a perforated eardrum does not heal on its own, an otolaryngologist may perform a patching procedure known as “tympanoplasty,” which involves chemical growth stimulation and patching that encourages closure.
If you have any of the symptoms of a perforated eardrum, the doctor will do an otoscopic exam. An otoscope is an instrument with a light that’s used to look inside the ear. In most cases, if there is a hole or tear in the eardrum, the doctor will be able to see it. To schedule an exam, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. Let us help you get back to the world of hearing at New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. It is the size of an eardrum perforation that usually determines the level of hearing loss.