Perforated eardrum

	Perforated eardrum;
ICD-10	H72
ICD-9	384.2
DiseasesDB	13473
eMedicine	ent/206
MeSH	C09.218.903

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Rupture or perforation (hole) of the eardrum can occur in infection, trauma (e.g. by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion or loud noise. Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure and blocked eustachian tubes resulting from the cold. This is especially true on landing.[3]

Perforation of the eardrum leads to conductive hearing loss.

The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or up to a few months.[4] Some perforations require intervention - this may use a paper patch to promote healing (simple procedure in the office of an ear, nose and throat specialist), or surgery (tympanoplasty).[5][6]

Hearing is usually recovered fully, but chronic infection over a long period may lead to permanent hearing loss.