How To Treat And Prevent A Ruptured Eardrum

Also known as a tympanic membrane perforation, a ruptured eardrum develops when the tissue separating the ear canal from the middle ear is torn. Symptoms indicating a ruptured eardrum include ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and fluid leaking from the ear. Some patients also experience nausea and vomiting as a result of vertigo. The eardrum may rupture as a result of middle ear infections, head injuries, and exposure to very loud sounds. The condition can also develop due to air pressure changes that occur when scuba diving or flying in an airplane, and some patients who have repeated middle ear infections also develop a ruptured eardrum. While the eardrum can usually heal itself within a few weeks, it is important to seek treatment for this condition to preserve hearing and decrease the risk of infections.