What Is a Ruptured Ear Drum?
Ruptured ear drum is a term used to describe a hole or perforation in the tympanic membrane, which separates the middle and outer ear and helps conduct the sound waves that provide normal hearing.CausesCauses of ruptured ear drums include pressure damage, direct injuries, infections and the presence of foreign objects, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.SignificanceDamage from a rupture can seriously degrade hearing. Additionally, bacteria can easily travel through a rupture, causing infection of the middle ear.SymptomsSigns of a ruptured ear drum include hearing loss; bloody, clear or pus-filled ear discharge; sudden short-term pain; short-term vertigo (spinning sensation); and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), according to the Mayo Clinic.Treatments and OutlookRuptures typically heal on their own in a time frame of roughly two months, with restoration of normal hearing. Treatments used in the interim may include antibiotics, pain killers and temporary placement of an ea
