Perforated ear drum

[Littlemissnina]

Hi

Just wondering whether anyone can help? I'm 30 and quite often had ear problems as a child and often go abit deaf with colds as an adult. 4 weeks ago I perforated my ear drum and am almost completely deaf in ear which is so disorientating and frustrating for communicating making life very tricky. I had antibiotics first few days and went back to Dr for second time today to check it and they've referred me to ENT as she said it still looks bad and isn't healing as fast as they would like. There's no pain now just deafness but I'm worried as I was relying on it returning after about 6 weeks. Could this be permanent or could it still heal itself and return to normal? Thanks.

Nina

[beachcomber13]

Hello and welcome to the hearing loss community!

I am so sorry about your situation. Do not be shy about asking the ENT everything that is on your mind, and then do research online and get a second opinion. It's your hearing, not theirs.

A tympanoplasty is probably a decent option. That will graft some skin over it (the ear drum is covered with skin, just like the ear canal). It will not make your hearing exactly like normal, but it will much better than what you have now, and it will likely improve with time.

Let us know how it goes!

BC

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi Nina!
A ruptured ear drum or hole in tympanic membrane as it is medically called can cause hearing loss. It can also make the middle ear more vulnerable for infection. Usually if there is no infection, the tympanic membrane heals by itself in a few weeks. If the hole does not close on its own after a few weeks then the doctor may put a patch to close the ear drum. If this too fails then a new tympanic membrane is reconstructed (tympanoplasty). Please discuss with your ENT doctor if the hearing does not improve in another week or two or if you develop discharge in the ears. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.