Perforation of tympanic membrane
Encyclopedia
A perforated eardrum or punctured eardrum is a rupture or perforation (hole) of the eardrum
which can occur as a result of otitis media
infection, trauma
(e.g. by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion
, loud noise or surgery (accidental creation of a rupture). Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure and blocked eustachian tube
s resulting from the cold. This is especially true on landing.
Perforation of the eardrum leads to conductive hearing loss
, which is usually temporary. Other symptoms may include tinnitus
, earache or a discharge of mucus.
). However, in some cases, the perforation can last several years and will be unable to heal naturally. Such cases are usually a result of a perforation being surgically induced during an operation involving the ear.
Hearing is usually recovered fully, but chronic infection over a long period may lead to permanent hearing loss. Those with more severe ruptures may need to wear an ear plug to avoid water making contact with the ear drum.
Flying whilst suffering from a perforated eardrum is generally safe and may in fact cause less discomfort than with an intact eardrum.
Eardrum
The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear in humans and other tetrapods. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear. The malleus bone bridges the gap between the eardrum and the other ossicles...
which can occur as a result of otitis media
Otitis media
Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, or a middle ear infection.It occurs in the area between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear, including a duct known as the eustachian tube. It is one of the two categories of ear inflammation that can underlie what is commonly called an earache,...
infection, trauma
Physical trauma
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
(e.g. by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion
Explosion
An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
, loud noise or surgery (accidental creation of a rupture). Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure and blocked eustachian tube
Eustachian tube
The Eustachian tube is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear. It is a part of the middle ear. In adult humans the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long. It is named after the sixteenth-century anatomist Bartolomeo Eustachi...
s resulting from the cold. This is especially true on landing.
Perforation of the eardrum leads to conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem conducting sound waves anywhere along the route through the outer ear, tympanic membrane , or middle ear ....
, which is usually temporary. Other symptoms may include tinnitus
Tinnitus
Tinnitus |ringing]]") is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes: abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal for even the briefest period , ear...
, earache or a discharge of mucus.
Treatment
The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or may take up to a few months. Some perforations require intervention. This may take the form of a paper patch to promote healing (a simple procedure by an ear, nose and throat specialist), or surgery (tympanoplastyTympanoplasty
Tympanoplasty is the surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum and/or the small bones of the middle ear .-Classification:...
). However, in some cases, the perforation can last several years and will be unable to heal naturally. Such cases are usually a result of a perforation being surgically induced during an operation involving the ear.
Hearing is usually recovered fully, but chronic infection over a long period may lead to permanent hearing loss. Those with more severe ruptures may need to wear an ear plug to avoid water making contact with the ear drum.
Flying whilst suffering from a perforated eardrum is generally safe and may in fact cause less discomfort than with an intact eardrum.