Dr. S. Wasim Khan

Ear drum is a thin curtain-like tissue that separates the inner ear from the middle and outer ear. If this ear drum is somehow punctured, then that condition is referred to as an ear drum perforation. The ear drum can get perforated for a variety of reasons, but here are the major causes for the same.

Causes Of Ear Drum Perforations

1. Infection- An ear infection can alleviate into an ear drum perforation. Usually, the infected area may undergo inflammation to such a degree that it may puncture the ear drum. Normally, in case of ear drum perforations due to infections, the pus from the infection drops out of the ear.
2. Foreign object- Inserting a foreign object inside the ear in a bid to scratch or clear the area can damage the ear drum. Avoid using Q-tips and other foreign items to scratch the ear.
3. Barotrauma- This is a condition when the air pressure on the outer ear is not the same as the pressure inside the inner ear. Usually, barotrauma is caused when a plane changes altitude or in case of scuba divers when they make the dive deep down.
4. Injury- Injury resulting from head trauma or a slap across the ear can sometimes cause the ear drum to rupture as well.

Symptoms of Ear Drum Perforation
Everyone does not experience the typical symptoms that are associated with a perforated ear drum. Most people do not notice it at once, but may visit the doctor after several days of discomfort. People who have a perforated ear drum may also notice air coming out of their ears when they blow their nose. This happens as the forceful blow of air causes the air to rise inside the ear cavity and come out through the opening in the ear drum. Apart from these symptoms, pain in the ear, pus discharge, hearing loss and dizziness may also be caused due to the condition.

Treatment for Ear Drum Perforation
Ear drum perforation does not require a specific kind of treatment to heal. This is because the condition gets repaired by itself within a couple of months. Doctors may, at the most, prescribe antibiotics to ensure that the ear does not get infected prior to complete healing. If the condition is extremely painful, doctors may also prescribe certain over-the-counter pain medications to you. In some rare cases, surgery may be needed in order to completely mend the perforated ear drum.