Ruptured Eardrum Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
The eardrum (tympanic membrane) is a thin membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. The condition of a ruptured eardrum describes a tear in the eardrum. Medically this condition is known as tympanic membrane perforation.
This condition will cause hearing loss and is sometimes followed by discharge from the ear. A ruptured eardrum can also cause an infection in the middle ear and cause hearing loss. In fact, in some cases it can also cause hearing loss.
Symptom
A ruptured eardrum is characterized by several conditions, such as:
• hearing loss
• continuous discharge from the ear
• complaints of ringing in the ears
Reason
There are various causes of a ruptured eardrum. These causes include:
• injury, for example due to an accident
• hearing a very loud banging sound
• ear infection
• having a foreign object in the ear, for example: a needle, pin, etc.
Diagnosis
To determine if there is a ruptured eardrum, the doctor will perform a physical examination with an otoscope. The goal is to see the condition of the inside of the ear. If the rupture of the eardrum is associated with a chronic infection in the middle ear (chronic suppurative otitis media), then an X-ray examination is also sometimes necessary.
In addition, to assess the occurrence of impaired hearing function, a hearing function examination will also be carried out with a tuning fork. If necessary, a pure tone audiometric examination to determine the type of deafness experienced by the patient is also carried out.
Treatment
A ruptured eardrum can cause water to enter the inner ear when bathing or swimming. So that this does not happen, treatment must be carried out to close the eardrum again.
Treatment for a ruptured eardrum depends on the extent of the torn eardrum. If the tear is very small, generally the doctor will only carry out strict observation until a certain time because the tear can close by itself.
Doctors can also glue the eardrum with a type of adhesive paper to help close the ruptured side. If with this effort the eardrum does not close, an operation to close the ear membrane, called a tympanoplasty, needs to be done.
Prevention
To prevent the eardrum from bursting, several things can be done:
• If there is an infection in the ear, immediately go to the doctor to get the right treatment.
• Use ear protection (earplugs) when in situations that have the potential to expose the ears to very loud sounds.
• Avoid traveling by plane when you have a cold or stuffy nose because it can trigger fluid in the middle ear.