What is Eardrum Perforation/Tear? Symptoms and Treatment

Eardrum perforation, as the name suggests, is the formation of a hole or tear in the thin membrane inside the ear. There can be many different causes of perforation of the eardrum. By following the symptoms, the factor causing the perforation of the eardrum is determined and the treatment plan is followed.

What is Eardrum Perforation/Tear?

This membrane, which is a transparent layer, is a complex complex responsible for the hearing process. It is one of the important parts of the system. The eardrum, also called the "tympanic membrane" in the medical literature, also helps to protect the middle ear from impact and infection factors. The eardrum is stretched like a drum, vibrating when sound waves hit its surface. The outer surface of the eardrum consists of skin and the inner surface of a thin connective tissue covered with mucous membranes. The eardrum has two main functions:

• Auditory function: As sound waves enter the ear canal, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. The vibrations are then transferred to the small bones in the middle ear, and from there they travel to the inner ear and turn into nerve signals. Nerve signals go to the brain and thus the function of hearing is realized. >The eardrum is fragile and can rupture. If punctured or torn, the middle ear is vulnerable to infection. A ruptured eardrum cannot vibrate as well as it should, resulting in temporary hearing problems. In rare cases, this problem can lead to permanent hearing loss and ear infections.

  What Causes Perforation of the Eardrum?

  Perforation of the eardrum, which is common in society, can be due to many reasons. It occurs mostly secondary to middle ear inflammation. Otitis media can be the cause or result of perforation of the eardrum. The main factors that cause eardrum rupture can be listed as follows:
  

  • Using cotton swabs: Inserting any foreign object into the ears increases the risk of damage to the ear canal or eardrum. Cotton swabs are helpful for maintenance and cleaning needs. However, these sticks should not be used for cleaning the inside of the ear or removing earwax. is. Because the cotton swab pushes the earwax deeper and may cause damage to the eardrum.
  • Sudden pressure changes (barotrauma): Under normal conditions, the air pressure in the middle ear and the air pressure in the outside environment are in balance. However, activities such as traveling on an airplane, climbing high mountain roads and scuba diving can cause sudden pressure changes that can rupture the eardrum. If it is done with excessive effort, it may cause the eardrum to rupture excessively from the inside and cause the eardrum to perforate.
  • Loud noises (acoustic trauma): Events that emit very loud sound waves, such as explosions, damage the eardrum and may cause permanent damage.
  • Head trauma: A direct blow to the head or A serious head injury, such as a car accident, can result in a ruptured eardrum.
  • Direct trauma to the auricle and external ear canal: Pressure applied to the ear with any object or a hard slap to the ear can cause rupture of the eardrum.
  • Ear infections: Middle ear or ear canal. As a result of an inner ear infection, pus and fluid accumulates behind the eardrum. This may lead to rupture of the eardrum.

  Symptoms of Perforation of the Eardrum

  Rupture of the eardrum manifests itself with many symptoms. The symptoms also depend on what is causing the perforation of the membrane. Some patients with a hole in the eardrum are surprised to hear the sound of blowing their nose. Vigorous blowing through the nose causes air to rise to fill the space in the middle ear. Normally, this behavior causes the eardrum to bulge outward. However, if you have a perforated eardrum, air will come out of the hole and sometimes even other people can hear the sound.
  
  Eardrum perforation causes sudden and severe pain. This is sometimes followed by bleeding in the ear, hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing loss is more severe if the ossicular chain is disrupted or the inner ear is injured. Injury to the inner ear can also cause vertigo (dizziness). Especially if water or foreign matter enters the middle ear and causes inflammation in the area. Usually within 24 to 48 hours, pus begins to flow from the ear. Some of the typical symptoms of a perforated eardrum are:
  

  • Pain
  • pus or bloody discharge
  • Hearing problem
  • Tinnitus (tinnitus) )
  • Dizziness (vertigo)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Itching in the ear
  • Feeling warm in the ear
  Trying to find the cause of ear damage symptoms and determining if there is a rupture or perforation of the eardrum is important for the treatment plan.

  Eardrum Perforation Treatment

  For the treatment of eardrum rupture, it is important to determine the cause of the rupture. . Because a treatment path is followed according to the cause. Many ways can be used to detect a ruptured eardrum. An ENT specialist can easily detect a ruptured eardrum by visual inspection using a lighted instrument (otoscope). A tympanometry placed in the ear to measure the eardrum's response to pressure changes makes it easy to detect a hole or tear. A punctured eardrum does not always require treatment because it tends to heal on its own, usually within a few weeks. However, in the presence of some serious conditions, it may be considered to be treated. Eardrum perforation treatment is mainly applied to prevent infection or relieve hearing loss. Some of the treatments used for this purpose are:
  

  • Patch: If the eardrum tear does not heal on its own, your doctor may treat the eardrum with a patch. This process is mostly done in the early stages, that is, in the days following the rupture of the eardrum. It is a method frequently used in ruptures secondary to impact. The patching process involves placing a medicated paper patch over the tear in the membrane. This placed patch encourages the membrane to grow and heal again.
  • Antibiotics: The use of antibiotics can be used to eliminate infections that cause the eardrum to rupture. It also prevents the development of new infections in your ear. Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or medicated ear drops for this purpose. He may also want you to use both at the same time.
  • Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be needed to repair the tear in the eardrum. Eardrum perforation surgery, tympanum It is known as plasty and during this procedure, the surgeon takes tissue from another part of your body and places it in the tear in the eardrum. This procedure can be applied as an outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment provides the opportunity to go to your home on the same day under anesthesia conditions that do not require a long hospital stay.
  • Applications that can be done at home: To relieve the pain caused by a ruptured eardrum, at home, by taking the doctor's advice, to take painkillers, to take warm and dry Compressing can help. You can also speed up the healing process by keeping your ear dry.
  To avoid perforation of the eardrum, blowing your nose more than necessary, holding your breath, stuffing your nose or blowing your nose creates high pressure in the ears. High pressure can cause pain, rupture the eardrum. It can also slow down the healing process.Also:
  • Not to interrupt your treatment for middle ear infections
  • Avoid traveling with a stuffy nose to protect your ears during flight
  • Keeping your ears away from foreign objects, not sticking anything
  • It is important to protect your ears from explosive noise and loud noises.
  Using over-the-counter ear drops can cause other problems unless your doctor recommends it. If you think you have a tear or hole in your eardrum, do not forget to consult your doctor for early diagnosis.
  

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