Perforated Eardrum

What is a perforated eardrum?

A perforated eardrum is a rupture or a tear in the tympanic membrane, which is located between your outer ear and middle ear. Better known as the eardrum, the tympanic membrane vibrates in response to sound waves entering the ear. Nerve cells in the middle and inner ear transmit signals to the brain, which the brain perceives as sound.

If your eardrum ruptures, you may experience acute pain accompanied by leakage of pus (if an infection is present) and blood. Your hearing may be muffled or otherwise impaired. A perforated eardrum may be caused by an infection that leads to an accumulation of fluids or pus in your middle or inner ear. Your ear may continue to swell and the eardrum may burst upon experiencing pressure.

Sudden, dramatic shifts in air pressure, such as those experienced when flying in an airplane or scuba diving, can also cause your eardrum to burst. This is known as barotrauma and occurs from extreme pressure differences between the inside of your ear and the outside. Loud noises, such as from jackhammers and construction, fireworks, gunshots, or loud music, can cause a perforated eardrum. Sticking foreign objects in your ear can also rupture the eardrum.

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you have ruptured your eardrum and experience bleeding, pus leakage, and hearing loss. You should also seek immediate medical attention if the perforation is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches, and pains.

A ruptured eardrum that continues to produce symptoms despite treatment should be evaluated. Seek prompt medical care if you are being treated for a perforated eardrum but continue to experience symptoms for two months or longer.