A ruptured or perforated eardrum sounds dreadfully serious. The truth is, in some cases, it can heal on its own and you won’t even know it happened. On the other hand, it is also something to be concerned about as it can present several risks to your hearing. How do I know if my eardrum is ruptured?
What Is A Ruptured Eardrum?
A ruptured eardrum is a tear or hole in the tissue separating your ear canal from your middle ear. If it doesn’t heal on its own in several weeks time, a patch or even surgery may be needed.
If left untreated, and it does not heal on its own, it can lead to hearing loss and make your middle ear more at risk for infections and the development of cysts.
How Do I Know If My Eardrum Is Ruptured?
There are a number of signs and symptoms that can indicate a ruptured eardrum. They include some of the following: a sudden increase or decrease in pain, bloody discharge from the ear with pus, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or a spinning sensation, and nausea and vomiting from the vertigo.
Some people don’t notice any real pain from a ruptured eardrum, just a discomfort in the ear.
Common Causes Of A Ruptured Eardrum
An ear infection is one of the main causes for an eardrum to rupture.
Some others include:
- Changes in air pressure like on an airplane
- A blow to the head or trauma
- Sudden loud noise or explosion
- Scuba diving
- Foreign object inserted in the ear like a cotton swab or bobby pin
- Other small objects a child may insert in their ear
Risks To Consider
If a ruptured eardrum does not heal on its own within a few months, you risk several complications. Hearing loss is usually temporary and varies with the degree and location of the tear.
Bacteria can enter the middle ear causing infections which can become chronic along with hearing loss and chronic drainage from the ear. This is known as otitis media.
Although it is rare, cysts can form in the middle ear causing damage to the bones in your middle ear.
Be especially on the lookout for symptoms of a perforated eardrum in children, and see Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat if you suspect they may have one.
Treatment For A Ruptured Eardrum
Antibiotic drops are a common treatment for a ruptured eardrum, especially if infection is apparent and the tear has not healed on its own.
Patching is another way to close the tear.
As a last resort, surgery may be recommended using your own tissue to close the hole.
Request an Appointment
Contact Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat at (912) 355-2335 for an evaluation if you are experiencing any symptoms of a ruptured eardrum. Our ENT specialists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating patients throughout the Savannah and Pooler area for perforated ear drums.
Request Appointment
FAQs
They include some of the following: a sudden increase or decrease in pain, bloody discharge from the ear with pus, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or a spinning sensation, and nausea and vomiting from the vertigo. Some people don't notice any real pain from a ruptured eardrum, just a discomfort in the ear.
How to know if you ruptured your eardrum from blowing your nose? ›
They include some of the following: a sudden increase or decrease in pain, bloody discharge from the ear with pus, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or a spinning sensation, and nausea and vomiting from the vertigo. Some people don't notice any real pain from a ruptured eardrum, just a discomfort in the ear.
What are signs and symptoms of a perforated eardrum? ›
After the rupture, you may have:
- Drainage from the ear (drainage may be clear, pus, or bloody)
- Ear noise/buzzing.
- Earache or ear discomfort.
- Hearing loss in the involved ear (hearing loss may not be total)
- Weakness of the face, or dizziness (in severe cases)
Normally a doctor can diagnose a bacterial ear infection by looking at the eardrum. It will be bulging and have pus behind it. If the eardrum ruptures, the eardrum can't be seen because it's covered with pus. So the presence of the discharge makes the diagnosis.
What does a ruptured eardrum feel and sound like? ›
Once your eardrum ruptures, you may have the following, usually in one ear: Sudden, sharp ear pain or, if you've had pain from an ear infection, a sudden decrease in ear pain. Fluid draining from your ear that may be bloody, clear, or cloudy. Ear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus)
How do you check for a ruptured eardrum at home? ›
Symptoms
- Ear pain that may subside quickly.
- Mucuslike, pus-filled or bloody drainage from the ear.
- Hearing loss.
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Nausea or vomiting that can result from vertigo.
Common Symptoms
A decrease in hearing: When your ear feels clogged, or there is a whistling or buzzing sound accompanied by a partial (or total) loss of hearing, these are often signs of a ruptured eardrum.
Can a doctor see a perforated ear drum? ›
See your GP if you have persistent symptoms of a perforated eardrum. Although your eardrum will usually heal itself eventually, treatment may be necessary to prevent infections and help improve your hearing. Your GP will use a special instrument called an auriscope or otoscope to examine your eardrum.
What happens if a ruptured eardrum goes untreated? ›
And know that seeking care is crucial because, left untreated, a non-healing ruptured eardrum can lead to serious complications, including hearing loss and chronic or recurrent middle ear infections.
How do you check if my eardrum is damaged? ›
Most of the time symptoms affect 1 ear and include:
- hearing loss.
- a ringing or buzzing sound in your ear (tinnitus)
- earache or ear pain.
- itching in your ear.
- clear fluid, blood or pus leaking from your ear.
- feeling dizzy.
- a high temperature.
A ruptured eardrum from an ear infection usually isn't an emergency. In fact, the rupture often relieves pressure and pain. It usually heals within hours or days. But you should have the ear looked at by a healthcare provider within 24 hours.
Does a ruptured eardrum keep hurting? ›
Your ruptured eardrum may need several months of healing time. Contact your healthcare provider if you're still having symptoms like pain, drainage or hearing issues. You may need additional treatment.
What not to do with a ruptured ear drum? ›
Until your provider tells you that your ear is healed, protect it by:
- Keeping the ear dry. Place a waterproof silicone earplug or cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly in the ear when showering or bathing.
- Refraining from cleaning the ears. Give the eardrum time to heal completely.
- Avoiding blowing your nose.
If you blew your nose too hard already and heard a pop followed by pain, you may have damaged your eardrum and should consult a hearing care provider. A small pop might be your eustachian tub equalizing the presser of your inner ear and outer ear. What Causes Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
Which ear drops are safe for perforated eardrum? ›
Ofloxacin is the preferred fluoroquinolone ear drop for patients with perforation. Neomycin drops may cause severe contact dermatitis, which may confuse the diagnosis.
Can coughing burst the eardrum? ›
Severe infections or allergic reactions that cause persistent sneezing or coughing can exert pressure on the eardrum, potentially causing it to rupture.
How do you fix your eardrum after blowing your nose? ›
If the tear or hole in the eardrum doesn't heal by itself, treatment will likely involve procedures to close the tear or hole. These may include: Eardrum patch. If the tear or hole in the eardrum doesn't close on its own, an ENT specialist may seal it with a paper patch (or a patch made of other material).
Can a hole in the eardrum heal on its own? ›
Usually, a perforated eardrum will heal on its own within a few weeks. While the eardrum is healing, your doctor might suggest: taking over-the-counter pain relievers. using antibiotics to prevent infections or treat any existing infections (these could be given as a pill or as ear drops)
Can a Q tip rupture your eardrum? ›
If a sharp object, like a Q-tip, is put too far into the ear canal it can cause a rupture. Middle ear infections can lead to ruptures. The hole can also be a result of a weakened area of the eardrum from a cholesteatoma, or a skin cyst of the ear.
