Eardrum Rupture in Children
An eardrum rupture is a hole (perforation) in the eardrum. The eardrum is a thin, round tissue inside of the ear that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. The eardrum is also called the tympanic membrane.
It transfers sound vibrations through small bones in the middle ear to the hearing nerve in the inner ear. It also protects the middle ear from germs. An eardrum rupture can cause pain and hearing loss.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
- An infection (common).
- A
sudden injury, such as from:
- Inserting a thin, sharp object into the ear.
- A hit to the side of the head, especially by an open hand.
- Falling onto water or a flat surface.
- A sudden increase in pressure against the eardrum, such as from an explosion or a very loud noise.
- A rapid change in ear pressure, such as from flying.
- Inserting a cotton-tipped swab in the ear.
- A medical procedure or surgery, such as a procedure to remove wax from the ear canal.
- Removing a man-made pressure equalization tube(PE tube) that was placed through the eardrum.
- Having a PE tube fall out.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more common in children who:
- Get ear infections often.
- Have had PE tubes inserted.
- Have problems with the parts of the body that connect each middle ear space to the back of the nose (eustachian tubes).
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Sudden pain at the time of the injury.
- Ear pain that suddenly improves.
- Drainage from the ear. The drainage may be clear, cloudy or pus-like, or bloody.
- Trouble hearing.
- Ringing in the ear after the injury.
- Dizziness.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on your child’s symptoms and medical history as well as a physical exam. The health care provider can usually see a perforation using an ear scope (otoscope). Your child may have tests, such as:
- A hearing test (audiogram) to check for hearing loss.
- A test in which a sample of ear drainage is tested for infection (culture).
How is this treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and size of the perforation:
- If there is no infection, treatment may not be needed.
- If there is an infection, your child may need to use antibiotic ear drops or take antibiotic medicine by mouth.
If other treatments do not help, your child may need surgery to repair the perforation. This may include having a patch placed over the perforation or surgery to repair the eardrum. If the ear heals completely, any hearing loss should be temporary.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Keep your child’s ear dry. This is very important. Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about how to keep your child’s ear dry. Your child may need to wear waterproof earplugs when bathing and swimming.
- Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- If your child was prescribed antibiotic medicine, give it to your child as told by your child’s health care provider. Do notstop giving the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
- If
directed, apply heat to your child’s affected ear as often as told by your
child’s health care provider. Use the heat source that your child’s health
care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad. This
will help to relieve pain.
- Place a towel between your child’s skin and the heat source.
- Leave the heat on for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the heat if your child’s skin turns bright red. This is especially important if your child is unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. Your child may have a greater risk of getting burned.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
- Talk to your child’s health care provider before letting your child travel by plane.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child has mucus or blood draining from the ear.
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child has ear pain.
- Your child complains of hearing loss, dizziness, or ringing in the ear.
Get help right away if:
- Your child has sudden hearing loss.
- Your child is very dizzy.
- Your child has severe ear pain.
Summary
- An eardrum rupture is a hole (perforation) in the eardrum.
- An eardrum rupture can cause pain and hearing loss.
- This condition is diagnosed based on your child’s symptoms and medical history as well as a physical exam.
- Treatment depends on the cause and size of the perforation. If there is no infection, treatment may not be needed.
- Keep your child’s ear dry. This is very important. Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about how to keep your child’s ear dry.
