Perforated eardrum
Perforated eardrum | |
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Classification and external resources | |
Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
ICD-10 | H72, S09.2 |
ICD-9-CM | 384.2 |
DiseasesDB | 13473 |
MedlinePlus | 001038 |
eMedicine | ent/206 |
Patient UK | Perforated eardrum |
MeSH | C09.218.903 |
A perforated eardrum or punctured eardrum is a rupture or perforation (hole) of the eardrum which can occur as a result of otitis media (ear infection), trauma (e.g. by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion, loud noise or surgery (accidental creation of a rupture). Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure and blocked eustachian tubes resulting from the cold. This is especially true on landing.[medical citation needed]
Perforation of the eardrum leads to conductive hearing loss, which is usually temporary. Other symptoms may include tinnitus, earache or a discharge of mucus.[1]
Treatment
The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or may take up to a few months.[2] Some perforations require intervention. This may take the form of a paper patch to promote healing (a simple procedure by an ear, nose and throat specialist), or surgery (tympanoplasty).[3] However, in some cases, the perforation can last several years and will be unable to heal naturally. Such cases are usually a result of a perforation being surgically induced during an operation involving the ear.
Hearing is usually recovered fully, but chronic infection over a long period may lead to permanent hearing loss. Those with more severe ruptures may need to wear an ear plug to avoid contact with water with the ear drum.
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ruptured-eardrum/DS00499
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ruptured-eardrum/DS00499/DSECTION=8