What makes a perforated eardrum worse?

The outer ear funnels sound waves into the ear canal that hit the eardrum and make it vibrate. The middle ear and inner ear convert the vibrations to signals that the brain interprets as sounds. If there is a hole in the eardrum, it can’t always vibrate as well as it should. This can make a person’s hearing worse.

Can a perforated eardrum get worse?

If the membrane is damaged, the middle ear can become infected. If the infection becomes chronic (ongoing), hearing loss may get worse, last longer, or in some cases, become permanent. Another potential complication of eardrum perforation is developing a type of skin cyst called a cholesteatoma.

What side should I sleep on with a perforated eardrum?

As previously mentioned, sleeping upright is a good method to try, but for natural, familiar sensations, resting on your side will have the most relaxing effect. If your ear infection is occurring in just one ear, sleep on the side of the healthy ear to avoid adding even more pressure to the affected area.

What color is ear infection drainage?

Most commonly, discharge from the ear is ear wax. But it also may include blood or a clear or milky white liquid. The fluid may also be a mix of these. Ear wax is yellow to orange-brown in color and is generally not a medical problem.

Can a perforated or ruptured eardrum cause hearing problems?

Although a perforated or ruptured eardrum can cause hearing problems, it does not mean that you will lose your hearing. However, until the eardrum heals, you may experience some decline in your ability to hear. With severe ruptures, some individuals may lose their ability to hear and may not be a candidate for eardrum surgery.

How long does it take for a perforated eardrum to heal?

In an outpatient procedure, you can usually go home the same day unless medical anesthesia conditions require a longer hospital stay. A ruptured (perforated) eardrum usually heals on its own within weeks. In some cases, healing takes months.

What should I do if my ear perforation has not healed?

If the ear becomes infected it will typically drain a mucous, puslike or even bloody material. If this occurs, it usually has to be treated with a topical antibiotic drop until the drainage stops. Otherwise the perforation will not likely heal. If an uninfected traumatic perforation hasn’t healed at three months then surgery becomes an option.

What are the treatment options for a ruptured eardrum?

In some cases, your surgeon treats a ruptured eardrum with a procedure called tympanoplasty. Your surgeon grafts a tiny patch of your own tissue to close the hole in the eardrum. Most ruptured (perforated) eardrums heal without treatment within a few weeks. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops if there’s evidence of infection.