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A retracted eardrum is when your eardrum pulls inward, toward the middle of your ear. It can happen when there’s a pressure imbalance between the air inside and outside of your ear. It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have a retracted eardrum to reduce your risk of complications like hearing loss.
A retracted eardrum is when an air imbalance pulls or sucks in your tympanic membrane (eardrum) toward the middle of your ear. This happens when the air pressure inside of your ear and outside of your ear isn’t equal. Certain conditions, like eustachian tube dysfunction, can cause it.
Typically, your eardrum is cone-shaped, and the center of it dips slightly inward toward your middle ear. A retracted eardrum dips even farther toward your middle ear, so the dip is more pronounced.
A healthcare provider can look inside your ear with an otoscope and easily tell if you have a retracted eardrum. An otoscope is a handheld device with a light and magnification. This allows your provider to see your eardrum clearly.
Retracted eardrums can range from mild to severe. Some get better on their own, and some need treatment. It’s important to visit a healthcare provider if you think you might have a retracted eardrum. In some cases, it can lead to conditions like ear infections and temporary or permanent hearing loss.
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Sometimes, retracted eardrums don’t cause any symptoms. But if your eardrum pulls back enough to press on the tiny bones in your middle ear (ossicles), then you could develop retracted eardrum symptoms like:
The outside air pressure should remain equal to the air pressure inside your ears. A disruption in this balance (for instance, rapid changes in air pressure) can cause a vacuum effect that pulls your eardrum toward your middle ear.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is the most common cause of a retracted eardrum. This condition causes blockage in the tubes that connect your middle ears to your upper throat. Related conditions include:
Sometimes, retracted eardrums get better on their own. But in some cases, the condition can cause cholesteatoma (a noncancerous, cyst-like growth behind your eardrum). Cholesteatoma may result in damage to your ossicles — the three tiny bones in your middle ear (malleus, incus and stapes) that transmit sound waves to your inner ear. Left untreated, this can result in hearing loss.
An otolaryngologist (ENT) will examine your ears. They’ll also ask about your symptoms and whether you’ve had chronic ear conditions (like infections) in the past.
Healthcare providers use a staging system to describe the severity of retracted eardrums:
Some retracted eardrums don’t require treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend monitoring your condition until the pressure inside of your ears returns to normal. This may take a while — up to several months. During this time, your provider will keep a close eye on your symptoms. They may also recommend trying the Valsalva maneuver — an exercise you can do at home to normalize the pressure in your ears.
If you have a severely retracted eardrum, you may need treatment. The goal of retracted eardrum treatment is to stabilize the air pressure inside of your ears. There are several ways to do this. Possible treatments include:
Healthcare providers use a range of medications to treat retracted eardrums, including:
If a retracted eardrum presses on your ossicles or interferes with your hearing, your provider may recommend surgery. Common surgical treatments include:
In most cases, you can’t prevent a retracted tympanic membrane. Developing the condition is usually out of your control.
You might be able to reduce your risk for barotrauma-related retraction by wearing earplugs or taking a decongestant before you fly on a plane.
Mild ear retraction may not require treatment. In these cases, your provider may take a “wait and see” approach. But if your retracted eardrum is severe or doesn’t get better in a few months, you may need surgery.
It varies for everyone. Some people notice an improvement in just a week or two. Others may have lingering symptoms for a few months.
If your symptoms don’t go away on their own within six months, your healthcare provider will likely recommend treatment.
Mildly retracted eardrums often repair themselves over time. More severe cases may require treatment. However, the overall outlook is good if you get treatment in a timely manner.
Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that don’t go away within one week, including:
It’s possible. If you have a mildly retracted eardrum, it could fix itself over time. Your healthcare provider will still want to monitor your condition to make sure it doesn’t get worse.
Severely retracted eardrums usually need treatment. This may include medication (like steroids or decongestants) or surgery.
Flying with a retracted eardrum, ruptured eardrum or eustachian tube dysfunction increases your risk for middle ear and inner ear damage. If you need to fly, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Retracted eardrums — when an air imbalance pulls your eardrum inward, toward your middle ear — can range from mild to severe. Some people have little to no symptoms, while others develop earaches, drainage or even hearing loss. If you notice that your ears don’t feel quite right, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider. Even if you don’t need treatment, they can confirm your diagnosis and monitor your progress until you recover.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/23/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy