Ruptured Eardrum
A ruptured eardrum might start from an infection. Or damage from loud noises or other injuries. When a hole or tear starts in this flexible membrane separating your outer ear from your middle ear, you might have trouble hearing. You may also feel dizzy and have problems keeping your balance. And, while a ruptured eardrum often gets better on its own, there are times when only surgery can fix it.
Our expert healthcare providers will spend time learning more about how you’ve been feeling and why you came in for a visit. We’ll check the inside of your ear to get a closer look at what’s going on. And then we’ll use what we learn to build a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Ruptured Eardrum Care?
Trusted experts:
Cleveland Clinic’s team of head and neck experts are experienced in medicine and surgery. They care for all kinds of problems affecting your throat, nose and ears — including ruptured eardrums. Meet our team.
Industry leaders:
Our team contributes hundreds of articles to scientific publications and peer-reviewed medical journals. Many hold leadership roles in national societies and have received numerous awards and grants.
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We know life can get busy. And that’s why we also offer virtual visits. You can meet with your provider online for quick check-ins and follow-ups from the comfort of home. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone, tablet or computer. We make care comfortable and convenient.
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Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
Diagnosing a Ruptured Eardrum at Cleveland Clinic
Your eardrum (tympanic membrane) does a couple jobs. It plays an important role in hearing, making vibrations that your brain translates into sounds. It also protects your middle ear from debris, bacteria and water.
You may rupture your eardrum from an ear infection (otitis media). This is the most common way a rupture happens. Or you may have had an ear injury or trauma and not even know it — unless you’re aware something hit your ear. This can also happen when you use cotton swabs or other pointed objects to clean your ear. Sudden, explosive sounds also can cause a rupture. Or quick changes in air or water pressure (barotrauma).
If you do have symptoms, you may feel a sudden, sharp pain. Sounds might be muffled. You may have draining from your ear that looks like pus or blood. And you may hear buzzing or ringing (tinnitus). While most eardrum holes or tears get better on their own, some don’t. And this can cause:
- Long-term hearing loss.
- Vertigo.
- Dizziness.
- Infection.
What to expect at your first visit
When you come to your first appointment, your provider will ask about any symptoms you’ve had, when they started and if they’ve gotten worse. Then they’ll examine your ears and order tests done by an audiologist, like:
We’ll use what we learn from your exam and tests to build your treatment plan.
Meet Our Ruptured Eardrum Team
While experienced otolaryngologists will lead your care team, they’ll have help from many other providers, like:
- Audiologists.
- Nurse practitioners.
- Anesthesiologists.
- Physician assistants.
Your care team works together to decide if your eardrum rupture will heal on its own. And if they feel it won’t, they’ll create a surgery plan so you can move forward.
Providers Who Treat Ruptured Eardrums
Locations
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.Treating a Ruptured Eardrum at Cleveland Clinic
There are two types of surgery we use to repair a ruptured eardrum that won’t heal on its own.
Myringoplasty
If your provider recommends myringoplasty, they’ll use a medicated patch to cover the rupture in your eardrum. As your eardrum heals, the hole will fill in with new membrane. Think of it like an adhesive bandage for your ear. It can take up to a week or two to recover from surgery. And you’ll have follow-up visits with your provider so they can see how your eardrum is healing.
Tympanoplasty
In a tympanoplasty, we’ll use skin or cartilage from another area of your body to patch the rupture (graft). As with myringoplasty, the hole will eventually close over as it heals with this graft. Your provider will see you at least once in the weeks after surgery to make sure the graft is helping your eardrum close over.
Taking the Next Step
It can take several months for a ruptured eardrum to heal on its own. But if it doesn’t heal, Cleveland Clinic’s experts can help you get back to hearing the world around you a little better. Our providers spend time learning not only about what’s going on inside your ear, but about your experiences. Getting to know you helps us create a treatment plan that matches your needs. As you heal, we’ll be by your side.
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