Perforated eardrum

Perforated eardrum

Rupture or perforation (hole) of the eardrum can occur in 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 tubes resulting from the cold. This is especially true on landing. [http://www.earsurgery.org/tympan.html]

Perforation of the eardrum leads to conductive hearing loss.

The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or up to a few months. [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ruptured-eardrum/DS00499] 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). [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ruptured-eardrum/DS00499/DSECTION=8] [http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/28061.html] However, in some cases, the perforation can last several years and will be unable to heal naturally - 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.

External links

*
* [http://www.earsurgery.org/tympan.html PERFORATIONS AND HEARING LOSS - Ear Surgery Information Center]
* [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ruptured-eardrum/DS00499 Ruptured eardrum - MayoClinic.com]
* [http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/28061.html Perforated Eardrum - InteliHealth]
* [http://purplemedicalblog.blogspot.com/2004/02/should-person-with-ear-infection-or.html Should a Person With an Ear Infection, Sinusitis or a Cold Fly in an Airplane?- Purple Medical Blog]
* [http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=280 Perforated Eardrum article on NHS Direct]

* [http://www.drtbalu.com/tm_memb.html drtbalu otolaryngology online]


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  • eardrum — n. a perforated eardrum * * * [ ɪədrʌm] a perforated eardrum …   Combinatory dictionary

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  • Ear infection, middle (acute) — Acute middle ear infection, medically called acute otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear. Acute otitis media typically causes fluid in the middle ear accompanied by signs or symptoms of ear infection: a bulging eardrum usually… …   Medical dictionary

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