Ear
Tympanic membrane perforation
A hole in the eardrum may heal in some patients, but persistent discharge or hearing difficulty needs proper ear assessment.
A tympanic membrane perforation can occur after infection, trauma, barotrauma, or chronic ear disease. Some heal on their own, while persistent perforations may need monitoring, hearing testing, or repair.
01
Common symptoms
Hearing reduction
Ear discharge after water entry
History of trauma or infection
Whistling sound while blowing the nose
Recurrent ear infection
02
How ENT evaluation may be done
Otoscopy or microscopy
Assessment of perforation size and site
Hearing test
Middle ear and mastoid assessment
Imaging if chronic disease is suspected
03
Treatment options
Observation for fresh traumatic perforation
Dry ear precautions
Treatment of infection
Tympanoplasty for selected persistent perforations
Ossicular assessment when hearing loss is more than expected
04
Home care and preparation
Avoid forceful nose blowing after trauma
Keep the ear dry
Do not self medicate with ear drops
Protect the ear during bathing
05
Questions to ask during consultation
Will this perforation heal?
Can I swim?
What is my hearing level?
What is the success chance of repair?
Warning signs
When to seek urgent care
Urgent review is needed for severe vertigo, facial weakness, bleeding, or sudden major hearing loss after trauma.
This page is for general educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified medical professional.