Tympanic Membrane Perforation

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? The eardrum, or tympanic (tim-pan-ik) membrane, is a thin, round skin-like disc inside the ear. It divides the outer ear canal from the middle ear. An eardrum perforation (per-for-a-shun) is a tear in the eardrum. It will usually heal in 2 months without treatment. Your hearing should not be changed forever.

Causes: An eardrum perforation may be caused when your ear gets hit or by putting something sharp into your ear. It may also be caused when something makes high pressure inside the ear like an explosion or scuba diving. A middle ear infection may also cause an eardrum perforation.

Signs and Symptoms: You may have ear pain that starts quickly. You may loose your hearing for a short while or hear ringing in your ear. You may feel dizzy or spinning. You may have bleeding or discharge from the ear.

Care: You may need antibiotic (an-ti-bi-ah-tik) medicine to treat an ear infection. Surgery may be needed if the eardrum does not heal on its own.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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