Having a perforated or ruptured eardrum can sound serious, but it’s more common than many people realize, and this type of injury usually heals on its own without any permanent damage. However, understanding what can cause it and how it can affect your hearing can help you make an informed decision about treatment and prevent long-term damage.
What Is a Perforated Eardrum?
A perforated eardrum is a tear or hole in the tympanic membrane. This thin membrane separates the outer ear from the middle ear and helps you hear by vibrating in response to sound waves and transmitting sound to the inner ear.
When your eardrum is damaged, sound doesn’t travel as efficiently, which affects your hearing and increases the risk of ear infections.
Common Causes of a Ruptured Eardrum
Knowing what caused your eardrum to rupture helps determine the most effective treatment to help your ear heal. A perforated eardrum can happen for several reasons, including:
- Ear infections that cause fluid or pressure buildup behind the eardrum
- Pressure changes from elevation shifts caused by things like flying or scuba diving
- Loud blasts or noise trauma from explosions or extremely loud sounds
- Foreign objects too far in your ear, including cotton swabs or small toys
- Head injuries or accidental trauma affecting the ear or skull
- Chronic ear conditions or multiple middle ear infections
Symptoms of a Perforated Eardrum
Does a perforated eardrum hurt? Will I feel if my eardrum bursts? These are common questions people ask when they want to learn more about what signs to look out for. Having a perforated eardrum does hurt. It is usually a sudden, sharp pain, though it may fade quickly. Even if the pain goes away, it’s still important to have your ear checked.
Common symptoms of a perforated eardrum include:
- Sudden or intense ear pain
- Clear fluid, pus, or blood draining from the ear
- Temporary hearing loss in one ear
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ear
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Increased sensitivity to sound
How to Know If You Have a Damaged Eardrum
Because the eardrum is located deep within the ear canal, you need a medical exam to confirm any damage. Getting a diagnosis typically involves a doctor examining your ear and evaluating your hearing. Hearing tests are typically recommended to assess any hearing loss and develop a recovery plan.
If you think there’s an issue with your eardrum or any part of your ear, it is important that you have it checked as soon as possible to have a professional assess if your eardrum is torn, if there are signs of infection, and the best way to treat it.
When to Seek Medical Care
Getting an early diagnosis prevents infection, helps you heal, and protects your long-term hearing health. You should seek medical attention if you experience:
- Ongoing ear pain or drainage
- Sudden hearing loss
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Symptoms after an injury, loud noise exposure, or pressure change
Treatment Options
Treatment for a perforated eardrum depends on the size of the tear and any additional issues, such as an infection. In many cases, small perforations heal on their own, though a healthcare provider may monitor your ear to see how it’s healing. If you develop an infection, antibiotics or medicated ear drops may be prescribed to prevent further damage.
For perforations that don’t close on their own, eardrum patching can support healing. In more severe or persistent cases, surgical repair, known as tympanoplasty, may be recommended to restore the eardrum and protect your hearing.
How Long Does a Perforated Eardrum Take to Heal?
Recovery time for a burst eardrum varies depending on the extent of the damage. Mild perforations often heal on their own within a few weeks, while more significant tears may take longer and require follow-up care.
While your eardrum is healing, it’s important to protect your ear by keeping it dry and avoiding inserting objects into your ear, including cotton swabs. Following your doctor's instructions helps reduce the risk of infection or further injury.
Can a Damaged Eardrum Cause Hearing Loss?
A perforated eardrum can cause some hearing loss, but it’s usually temporary. Your eardrum plays an important role in how sound is transmitted, and any amount of damage can reduce how well sound reaches your inner ear.
If your eardrum doesn’t heal properly or gets infected, the hearing loss might not go away. This is why regular hearing evaluations are important.
Get Your Hearing Test at Beltone DFW
Any amount of trauma to your hearing system can lead to serious issues with your ears and even your overall health, since your ears are integral to your sense of balance. It’s important to protect your ears, but you can’t control every situation, and accidents happen.
If a damaged eardrum results in complications that cause hearing loss, the team at Beltone DFW is ready to help you figure out your next steps. We offer free hearing tests and hearing aid demos to not only pinpoint the severity of your hearing loss but also the right device to help you regain your hearing as best as possible.
