Perforated Ear Drum (Best ENT Specialist in Bhopal )
The eardrum, otherwise known as the tympanic membrane, divides the ear canal from the middle ear. A perforated eardrum happen when the eardrum ruptures, leaving an opening between the middle and outer ear. This can be problematic.
Causes
A ruptured eardrum usually results from injury or trauma, or following a chronic infection. Very loud and sudden noises can reason the eardrum to perforate. This is often associated with an acute, sudden onset of pain.
Another possible reason of eardrum perforations is from a chronic ear infection, such as otitis media. Otitis media is a fluid buildup in the middle ear cavity. The middle ear is generally filled with air, and with an accumulation of fluid or pus, pressure is enlarged on the eardrum. If the pressure against the eardrum is too great, it may perforate. Chronic otitis media may also weaken the eardrum over time and leave it more vulnerable to rupture. Children are more likely to suffer from a perforated eardrum due to chronic infection.
The use of cotton buds to clean your ears may also pierce the eardrum if pushed in too far, causing it to rupture. This is why eardrops are a much safer option when cleaning your ears.
It is also possible for the eardrum to rupture during a flight. The pressure in the cabin of an aircraft changes at different altitudes. If the pressure outside the ear and the pressure inside the middle ear are not even, pressure build-up may reason the eardrum to rupture. This is called barotrauma. Young children are more sensitive to barotrauma because the tube between the middle ear and the throat (Eustachian tube), which helps to equalize the pressure between the middle ear and environment, has not fully developed.
Flying with a cold may also block the Eustachian tube, leading to a build-up of pressure in the middle ear, which enlarges the risk of rupturing the eardrum whilst flying.
Symptoms
In some instances, there are no symptoms of a perforated eardrum. When present, common symptoms of a perforated eardrum include:
- Pain
- Hearing loss
- Discharge
- Ringing in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
Treatment
In some cases, the eardrum will heal itself within a few weeks. However, during this time it is important to protect your ear. The most effective way to protect your ear is to avoid swimming and other activities where water can come into your ear. The water may reason damage and enlarge susceptibility to infection. It is therefore important to protect your ear in the shower as well. Covering the opening to your ear with a piece of cotton or something similar can help to stop water from getting in.