Tympanic membrane perforation

Your doctor can use several ways to determine if you have a ruptured eardrum:

a fluid sample, in which your doctor tests fluids that may be leaking from your ear for infection (infection may have caused your eardrum to rupture)

an otoscope exam, in which your doctor uses a specialized device with a light to look into your ear canal

an audiology exam, in which your doctor tests your hearing range and eardrum capacity

tympanometry, in which your doctor inserts a tympanometer into your ear to test your eardrum’s response to pressure changes

Your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, or ENT, if you need more specialized examinations or treatment for a ruptured eardrum.

Treatments for eardrum rupture are mainly designed to relieve pain and eliminate or prevent infection.

Patching

If your ear does not heal on its own, your doctor may patch the eardrum. Patching involves placing a medicated paper patch over the tear in the membrane. The patch encourages the membrane to grow back together.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics can clear up infections that might have led to your eardrum rupture. They also protect you from developing new infections from the perforation. Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or medicated eardrops. You may also be told to use both forms of medication.

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery may be required to patch the hole in the eardrum. A surgical repair of a perforated eardrum is called tympanoplasty. During tympanoplasty, your surgeon takes tissue from another area of your body and grafts it onto the hole in your eardrum.

Home remedies

At home, you can ease the pain of a ruptured eardrum with heat and pain relievers. Placing a warm, dry compress on your ear several times daily can help.

Promote healing by not blowing your nose any more than absolutely necessary. Blowing your nose creates pressure in your ears. Trying to clear your ears by holding your breath, blocking your nose, and blowing also creates high pressure in your ears. The increased pressure can be painful and slow your eardrum’s healing.