| General
Illness Information |
Medical
Term: |
EARDRUM,
RUPTURED |
|
Common
Name: |
Perforated eardrum |
| Description: |
A hole in the thin membrane (tympanic
membrane) that separates the inner ear from the outer ear.
|
| Causes: |
The eardrum may be perforated when a
sharp object is inserted in the ear, such as: a cotton swab or paper
clip to clean the ear or relieve an itch; or by an object
accidentally entering the ear, such as an unseen low-hanging twig on
a tree or a thrown pencil. The eardrum may also be perforated
by a sudden increase in inward pressure in the ear, such
as with a slap; a swimming or diving accident; a nearby
explosion. Other causes of a perforated eardrum are - a middle ear
infection ; a sudden outward pressure or suction, such as with a
kiss over the ear.
|
| Prevention: |
Perforation of the eardrum can be
prevented by avoiding trauma to the ears , and that is by not
putting any objects into the ear canal, such as Q-tips, hair clips
etc.
The other precautions are - 1)avoiding
injuries that may cause a rupture (see causes) and 2) obtaining
prompt medical treatment for middle-ear infections.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
|
|
| Risk
Factors |
 |
Recent middle-ear infection. |
|
Head injury. | |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
Diagnosis is verified by otoscope examination of
the ear. Also, culture of the fluid from the ear may be
done. |
| General
Measures: |
|
Treatment involves-
medication to prevent or treat infection and supportive care
for pain. |
|
Don't blow your nose, if possible. If you
must, blow gently. |
|
Keep the ear canal dry. Don't swim, take
showers or get caught in the rain |
|
Microsurgery (tympanoplasty) to repair the
perforation if it doesn't heal spontaneously. In most cases
the eardrum heals spontaneously without further treatment. If
it is not healed in 2 months, then tympanoplasty may be
needed. |
|
If perforation of the eardrum is associated
with persistent hearing loss and vertigo- then the patient
should be hospitalized and be assessed by an otolaryngologist
, as the patient may need emergency surgery. |
|
| |
| Medications: |
|
Antibiotics to prevent or treat
infections. |
|
Pain relievers. For minor pain, you
may use non-prescription drugs such as
acetaminophen | |
| Activity: |
|
Resume your normal activities as soon as
symptoms improve. | |
| Diet: |
|
No special
diet. | |
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Ear infection, with fever, vomiting
and diarrhea. |
|
Significant blood loss
(rare). |
|
Meningitis (rare). |
|
Mastoiditis (infection of the
mastoid bone situated just behind the ear). |
|
Permanent hearing loss
(rare). | |
| Prognosis |
| If the ruptured eardrum does not become
infected, it will usually repair itself in 2 months. If
it becomes infected, the infection is curable with
treatment, and hearing is usually not affected
permanently. |
| If the perforation does not heal,
surgery is
needed. | | |
| Other |
|
|
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