Drum Cases

Ear drum perforation [Hole in the ear drum]-Causes,line of action- By ENT Surgeon Bangalore

The ear drum is a thin delicate membranous structure situated deep within the ear canal and separates the outer ear canal from the delicate middle and inner ear.Due to its delicate nature the ear drum can get ruptured by various causes even a slap on the ear can rupture the ear drum.

See Article on Ear drum-What is the ear drum?

What are the causes of an ear drum perforation[ ear drum hole]?

Infection of the middle ear Eustachian tube dysfunction[ the eustachian tube is a tube which connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx[back of the nose]

Injury- slap ,fall on the side of the head,injury with ear buds[See Article on Ear buds and You] ,injury with sharp objects inserted into ear,sports injury,motor vehicle accidents,head injury can injure the ear drum and produce an ear drum hole

Lightning injury

Very loud sound

Blast waves from gunshots, fireworks, explosions can produce an ear drum perforation Pressure changes- such as in diving or air travel can injure and rupture the ear drum due to pressure inequalisation between the middle ear and the external ear canal

Can the ear drum perforate due to a cold[upper respiratory tract infection]?

Yes it can! During a heavy or prolonged "cold ",infection can be transmitted to the middle ear from the nose via the eustachian tube .Fluid collects in the middle ear and since the middle ear is enclosed in a narrow bony crevice fluid build up in the narrow area stretches the ear drum which can easily burst at the peak of fluid accumulation.The ear drum perforation is preceded by ear pain and the perforation can even relieve the pain to some extent as the fluid build up is released.This may give the patient a false impression that all is well but tell tale signs are- presence of bleeding due to the rupture of the ear drum [ this may be only a few drops or as a blood stained ear discharge ],some amount of Hearing loss .

Other symptoms which may or may not be present in ear drum perforation are

Tinnitus

Dizziness,  Imbalance ,mild Spinning sensation[vertigo]

Ear fullness

If there is severe middle ear infection also the ear drum can perforate due to pus accumulationin the middle ear which can put presure on the ear drum, thin the ear drum and perforate it.

What are the signs and symptoms of an Ear drum perforation due to injury?

A slap or fall on the side of the can produce an ear drum perforation.Symptoms in such cases :- Ear discomfort

Ear pain[need not be present]

Ear fullness

Hearing loss [may not be noticeable sometimes]

Tinnitus [sounds in the ear]

Ear discharge [blood stained ]- very mild as to be unnoticeable often

Bleeding - usually only a few drops

What are the symptoms of an old ear drum perforation?

You may be having an ear drum perforation for sometime [mostly due to previous ear infection which has not healed]- what are the symptoms in such a case?

Ear discharge on and off - especially when there is a 'cold'[upper respiratory infection] or there is some water entry into the ear

Hearing loss [ often denied and goes unnoticed as the other ear if normal makes up for the Hearing loss ]

Tinnitus [may or may not be present]

Dizziness [may come and go]

What is to be done in a old ear drum hole?

You need to meet an ENT Specialist and get your ears evaluated.

In the presence of an ear drum perforation not only can the hearing deteriorate but there is always a risk of serious infection.Sometimes if the ear drum perforation is small medical ear drum closure is possible with special direct otoendoscopic medication application.

Sutureless ear drum surgery is a sophisticated daycare procedure which can be performed with ease by an ENT specialist with specialised qualification in the same.

What is to be done if you suspect an ear drum perforation[recent] in yourself or your child?

Do not let water enter the ears till your suspicions are cleared

Do not put oil or other liquids into the ear canals

Continue all cold medications you or your child is already taking

Visit your ENT Doctor at the earliest as timely treatment gives the best results and prevents complications.

Read more:Ear Drum

ear drum perforation Diagnosis

About the Author

Dr Sonia S V is a Consultant ENT , Head & Neck Surgeon with expertise in advanced otolaryngology including endoscopic sinus surgery, microlaryngeal surgery and neurotology[ treatment of hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus,ear diseases].Dr Sonia S V is at present practising in Bangalore.

Dr Sonia Suprabha Venugopal
MBBS MS ENT[AIIMS]
Consultant ENT & Head & Neck Surgery
Dr Sonia & Dr Prateek's ENT Head & Neck Center,Sahakaranagar, Bangalore
Mobile:9742201211
Website: http://drsoniasv.webs.com
http://my.opera.com/soniasv
ENT Specialist Bangalore

Drum Cases

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