Repair of Eardrum Perforation

When a hole or tear forms in the thin tissue separating your ear canal from your middle ear, it’s called a ”ruptured“ or ”perforated“ eardrum. This serious condition can cause hearing loss and may make your ear more susceptible to infections and injury.

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Eardrum perforation is most commonly caused by head or ear trauma, blasts of loud noises close to the ear, and ear infections. The hole or tear in the eardrum can lead to symptoms that include ringing in the ears, pain, nausea, the feeling of spinning, and even hearing loss. At SFENTA, we provide patients with procedures to repair eardrum perforation including a small patch or surgery.

Eardrum Perforation Treatment

Most ruptured eardrums heal on their own within a few weeks. If your doctor suspects an infection, antibiotics may also be prescribed. If your eardrum is still perforated after a few weeks of watchful waiting, you may require one of the following procedures:

Eardrum Patch

During this in-office procedure, your doctor will apply an eardrum patch over the hole to encourage proper healing. The patch can also be reapplied as needed while the hole is healing.

Surgery

If the patch is unsuccessful, a tympanoplasty may be necessary. During this procedure, your doctor will remove the excess scar tissue with a laser and graft a small piece of your tissue onto the eardrum to close the hole.

there is a woman that is sitting getting ear inspected

Conditions Treated Through Repair

A currently ruptured or persistently ruptured eardrum
Those who have tried an eardrum patch unsuccessfully and are looking for further treatment

Benefits of Eardrum Perforation Repair

Symptoms of eardrum perforation can impact your quality of life and get in the way of doing the activities you love. While some perforations may heal independently, these treatments can help patients heal faster, with minimal downtime.

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Your Treatment with SFENTA

In our 30 years in South Florida, we’ve continued to expand. Today we have one of the largest networks of ENT providers and over 30 locations. Our staff of providers, allied professionals, and administrative support believe in providing quality, comprehensive care to each patient. This is achieved through:

Providing Patient-Centered Care

Each appointment includes one-on-one care with our team of physicians, ensuring each of your concerns receives the time and attention they deserve.

A Network of Highly Trained Physicians

With over 50 board-certified physicians and 40 allied professionals, we have ensured that we’re prepared to help address a wide range of ENT symptoms and conditions.

Continuity of Care

Our staff strives for care that provides you with lasting relief from the symptoms that get in the way of doing what you love.

Offering the Security of a Community Staple

After helping patients in the South Florida community for over 30 years, we’re always here when you need us.

Who is a Candidate?

Those with ruptured eardrums are the primary candidates for these treatments. Patients who have also tried the patch method but have not seen results are candidates for the surgical procedure. In some cases, patients with ear pain have a perforated eardrum, but are unaware. At SFENTA, our staff will evaluate your ear to look for holes or tears. Whether you have a perforated eardrum or another ear condition, our staff will recommend the proper course of treatment.

Your Eardrum Perforation Treatment

When using the patch method for treatment, the provider will begin by examining your ears and then applying a chemical substance around the affected area. This will help jump-start the repair of the hole or tear. A small patch is then carefully placed by the provider, and you will be free to return to your regular activities as long as the patch remains dry. If the hole does not heal, the patch may be reapplied.

Some patients will require surgical intervention. The procedure is performed using a small graft of tissue to repair the hole. The graft is taken from behind the ear or another area. The surgery is outpatient, which will allow you to recover at home following the procedure.

Eardrum Perforation Repair FAQ's

What causes eardrum perforation?

Some of the primary causes of eardrum perforation include middle ear infection, barotrauma (air pressure changes), severe head trauma, foreign objects in the ear, and loud sounds.

When should I see a doctor for eardrum perforation?

If you suspect your eardrum has been perforated, contact your SFENTA ear, nose, and throat doctor immediately. Your diagnosis can be confirmed with a visual inspection of your eardrum using a lighted instrument. In the meantime, keep your ears dry to prevent infection, don’t clean your ears, and don’t apply any drops until you’ve seen your doctor.