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- Overview
- Surgery
Overview
A perforated orburst eardrum is a hole in the eardrum. It'll usually heal within a few weeks and might not need any treatment.
But it's a good idea to see a GP if you think your eardrum has burst, as it can cause problems such as ear infections.
Symptomsof a perforated eardrum
Signs of a perforated eardrum or ear infection caused by a perforated eardruminclude:
- suddenhearing loss– you may find it difficult to hear anything or your hearingmay just be slightly muffled
- earacheor pain in your ear
- itching in your ear
- fluid leakingfrom your ear
- a high temperature
- ringing or buzzing in your ear (tinnitus)
The symptoms will usually pass once your eardrum has healed and any infection has been treated.
Whento see a GP
See a GP if:
- youthink you have aperforated eardrum
- you have already seen a GP and your symptoms are not any better after a few weeks or youget new symptoms (such as earache, a fever, itching or fluid leaking from the ear)
Your eardrum will usually heal without treatment, but a GPcan check for an infection (which may need treatment) and talk to you about how you canlook after your ear.
They'll lookinto your earusing a small handheldtorch with a magnifying lens. The tip of this goes into your ear, but it only goes in a little wayandshould not hurt.
Things you can do if you have a perforated eardrum
Perforated eardrums do not always need to be treated because they often get better by themselves within a few weeks.
While it heals, the following tips can help you relieve your symptoms and reduce the chances of your ear becoming infected:
- do not put anything in your ear, such as cotton buds or eardrops (unless your doctorrecommends them)
- do notget water in your ear– do not go swimming andbe extra carefulwhen showering or washing your hair
- trynot toblow your nose too hard, as this can damage your eardrum as it heals
- holda warm flannel against your ear to help reduceany pain
- takepainkillers such asparacetamoloribuprofento relieve pain if youneed to (do notgive aspirin to children under 16)
Treatments for a perforated eardrum
If you have an ear infection caused by a perforated eardrum, a GP may prescribeantibiotics.
If the hole in your eardrum is big or does not heal in a few weeks, a GP may refer you to an ear specialist totalk about havingsurgeryto repaira perforated eardrum.
Causesof a perforated eardrum
A hole in the eardrum can be caused by:
- an ear infection
- an injury to the eardrum, such as a blow to your ear or poking an object like a cotton bud deep intoyour ear
- changes in air pressure, such as while flying or scuba diving
- a sudden loud noise, such as an explosion
The following tips mayhelp you avoid damaging your eardrum:
- see a GP for treatment if you have symptoms of an ear infection for more than 2 or 3 days
- do not push anything deepinto your ears, including your fingers
- wear suitable ear protection if you're often exposed to loud noises
- when flying, try swallowing, yawning, chewing gumor sucking on a boiled sweet during take-off and landing
Surgery
You may need surgery to repair your perforated eardrum if the hole in your eardrumis large or doesn't heal in a few weeks
The type of operation you'll have is called a myringoplasty.
Whathappens during surgery for a perforated eardrum
Surgeryto repair a burst eardrumis usually carried out in hospital under general anaesthetic(where you're asleep).
During the procedure:
- a small cut is made just in front or behindyour ear and a small piece of tissue is removed from underyour skin– this will leave a small scar, which willusually be covered by your hair
- small surgical instruments are usedtopatch the hole in your eardrum with thispiece of tissue– this may be done through your ear opening, or through a small cut made next to your ear
- a dressing is placed in your ear to hold the patch in place and stop waterand germs getting in – this usually stays in place for about two or three weeks
- cotton wool padding is put over your ear and held in place with a bandage
- the cut(s) in your skin are closed with stitches
Most people can go home on the same day or the day after the operation.
Recoveringfromsurgery for a perforated eardrum
It usually takes a few weeks for your eardrum to heal.
Afollow-up appointment for about two or three weeks after your operation will be arranged before or soon after leaving hospital.
Looking after yourself
After the operation:
- make sure someone stays with you for the first 24 hours– don't drive or drink alcohol during this time
- change the cotton wool in your ear every day (but leave the dressing that's deeper in your ear in place)
- avoid getting your ear wet– place cotton wool covered in petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) in your ear whenshowering
- you may need to stay off work (or school)for about a week– you might be off for longer if your job involves lots of moving or bending over
- after about a week,speak to your GP surgery about getting your stitches removed (if they don't dissolve by themselves)
Activities to avoid
Until you've had your follow-up appointment,avoid:
- flying
- swimming
- smoking
- close contact with sick people– you could pick up an ear infection
- sports and other strenuous activities
- blowing your nose too hard–if you need tosneeze, try tokeep your mouth open to reduce the pressure in your ear
Your doctor or nurse willadvise youwhen to return to normal activities.
When to get medical advice
It's normal to have some discomfort, dizziness, unusual noises in your ear and a little bleeding for the first few days after surgery.
Contact the hospitalor your GP if:
- you have lots of fluid or bloodcoming from your ear, particularly if the fluid smells bad
- you havepain that's severe andisn't relieved with painkillers
- you feel very dizzy or the dizziness doesn't improve in a few days
- your ear is red, swollen and itchy
Risksofsurgery for a perforated eardrum
Surgery to repair a perforated eardrum doesn't usually cause any serious problems.
But possible risksinclude:
- a wound infection, which can cause pain, bleeding andleaking offluid– contact thehospital or your GP if you have these symptoms
- ringing or buzzing in your ear (tinnitus)– this usually improves in time, but can sometimes be permanent
- changes in taste – these are usually temporary, butcan occasionally be permanent
- worse hearing or hearing loss– although permanent hearing loss is rare
- inability to move muscles in part of the face– this may get better over time, but can bepermanent in rare cases
Before you have surgery, talk to your surgeon about the possible benefits and risks of the operation.
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by 
NHS website nhs.uk
