What makes an eardrum rupture

However, barotrauma can also be caused by scuba diving or a severe blow to the ear. Severe head injuries can dislodge the small bones and structures within your inner ear, which can rupture your eardrum. The signs of a ruptured eardrum include:. If the tear is minor, it will likely heal on its own within a few weeks.

If it does not heal, your ear, nose and throat doctor may need to do one of the following:. During this procedure, your ENT seals the rupture after applying a chemical to the eardrum to stimulate growth. Depending upon the extent of the injury, this process may need to be repeated. This surgery involves grafting a piece of your own tissue to the eardrum to close the hole.

This is typically done on an outpatient basis. The slightest disruption in this process can cause lifelong problems. The infection causes pus or fluid to build up behind the eardrum.

As the pressure increases, the eardrum may break open rupture. The health care provider will look in your ear with an instrument called an otoscope.

Sometimes they will need to use a microscope for a better view. If the eardrum is ruptured, the doctor will see an opening in it. The bones of the middle ear may also be visible. Pus draining from the ear may make it harder for the doctor to see the eardrum. If pus is present and blocking the view of the eardrum, the doctor may need to suction the ear to clear the pus.

Audiology testing can measure how much hearing has been lost. Repair of the eardrum might be needed for larger holes or ruptures or if the eardrum does not heal on its own. This can be done either in the office or under anesthesia. If your pain and symptoms improve after your eardrum ruptures, you may wait until the next day to see your provider.

DO NOT insert objects into the ear canal, even to clean it. Objects stuck in the ear should only be removed by a provider. These ear infections are more likely to happen in young children, people with colds or the flu , or in areas with poor air quality.

You may have some temporary hearing loss or a reduction in hearing in the affected ear. You can also experience tinnitus , a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, or dizziness. Your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist , or ENT, if you need more specialized examinations or treatment for a ruptured eardrum. Treatments for eardrum rupture are mainly designed to relieve pain and eliminate or prevent infection. If your ear does not heal on its own, your doctor may patch the eardrum.

Patching involves placing a medicated paper patch over the tear in the membrane. The patch encourages the membrane to grow back together. Antibiotics can clear up infections that might have led to your eardrum rupture. They also protect you from developing new infections from the perforation.

Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or medicated eardrops. You may also be told to use both forms of medication. In rare cases, surgery may be required to patch the hole in the eardrum. A surgical repair of a perforated eardrum is called tympanoplasty.

During tympanoplasty, your surgeon takes tissue from another area of your body and grafts it onto the hole in your eardrum. At home, you can ease the pain of a ruptured eardrum with heat and pain relievers. Placing a warm, dry compress on your ear several times daily can help. Promote healing by not blowing your nose any more than absolutely necessary.

Blowing your nose creates pressure in your ears. Trying to clear your ears by holding your breath, blocking your nose, and blowing also creates high pressure in your ears.

If your eardrum is ruptured, fluid from these drops can get deep into your ear. This can cause further issues. Eardrum ruptures can happen much more frequently in children because of their sensitive tissue and narrow ear canals.

Any kind of small foreign object, such as a pencil or hairpin, can also damage or rupture their eardrum if inserted too far into their ear canal. If your eardrum ruptures, uncommon problems can occur, especially if it fails to self-heal after three to six months. Possible complications include:. Middle ear cyst cholesteatoma. Although very rare, this cyst, which is composed of skin cells and other debris, can develop in your middle ear as a long-term result of eardrum rupture.

Ear canal debris normally travels to your outer ear with the help of ear-protecting earwax. If your eardrum is ruptured, the skin debris can pass into your middle ear and form a cyst.

A cyst in your middle ear provides a friendly environment for bacteria and contains proteins that can damage the bones of your middle ear. Protect your ears during flight. If possible, don't fly if you have a cold or an active allergy that causes nasal or ear congestion. During takeoffs and landings, keep your ears clear with pressure-equalizing earplugs, yawning or chewing gum.

Or use the Valsalva maneuver — gently pushing air into your nose, as if blowing your nose, while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed. Don't sleep during ascents and descents. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.