The eardrum burst, what will happen? is it dangerous?

The eardrum is a vital part of the ear that plays a role in the hearing process. Have you ever imagined if the eardrum suddenly burst? Yes, even though it is located deep in the ear, it is not impossible that it can experience disorders like other parts of the body. So, what will happen next? Will your hearing be impaired? Check out the following reviews to find out the answer.

What is a ruptured eardrum?

A ruptured eardrum or tympanic membrane perforation is a tear in the thin membrane that separates your outer ear and inner ear. This membrane, called the tympanic membrane or eardrum, is made of tissue that resembles skin.

The eardrum has two important functions. First, the eardrum senses the vibrations of sound waves and converts them into nerve impulses that convey sound to your brain. Second, keep the middle ear from bacteria, water, and foreign objects.

Normally, the middle ear is the sterile part. However, when the tympanic membrane perforates, bacteria can enter the area and cause an infection called otitis media.

A ruptured eardrum is usually not a dangerous condition. This disorder can even heal by itself within a certain period of time.

What are the symptoms of a burst eardrum?

Some people do not realize the initial symptoms when the tympanic membrane perforation. One of the early symptoms that you can detect is the discharge of air from the ear when you exhale. In addition, there are other characteristics of a ruptured eardrum that you can recognize:

• Ear pain that is very sharp and occurs suddenly
• The ear canal is bleeding or filled with pus
• Hearing loss or reduction in one ear or any area affected
• Feeling ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
• There is a sensation of spinning (vertigo)
• Nausea or vomiting due to vertigo
• Dizzy

What causes a ruptured eardrum?

It has been shown that there are many causes of tympanic membrane perforation. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the causes below are considered the most common:

1. Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Middle ear infection or otitis media is one of the most common causes of tympanic membrane perforation, especially in children. This is because too much fluid builds up behind the eardrum. As a result, the resulting pressure puts the eardrum at risk of tearing and rupture.

2. Barotrauma

Barotrauma is pressure on your eardrum when the pressure in your middle ear and the pressure in the surrounding environment are out of balance. If the pressure is too heavy, your eardrum can tear. Barotrauma usually occurs due to changes in air pressure during flight.

Other events that can cause sudden changes in pressure — and possibly perforation of the tympanic membrane — include scuba diving and direct attacks into the ear, such as the impact of a car air bag.

3.Loud or explosive noise (acoustic trauma)

Shock at the sound of lightning, explosions, or very loud gunfire can also burst the eardrums. Likewise for those of you who are not used to watching concerts with sound speaker hard, then caution should be taken with the risk of tympanic membrane perforation.

4. Foreign object in the ear

Foreign particles that enter too deep into the ear can increase the risk of perforation of the tympanic membrane. This includes those of you who frequently clean your ears cotton bud or an ear cleaner, these objects can further injure the ear, push wax in the ear, and lead to infection.

Children have the highest risk factors for ruptured eardrums. Sometimes, children can pierce their eardrums by inserting objects such as sticks or small toys in their ears.

5. Severe head injury

Severe head injury, such as skull fracture, due to an accident or blow can cause damage to the structures of the middle and inner ear. This means that your eardrum is also at risk of damage, which in turn can cause hearing loss.

Can a ruptured eardrum heal on its own?

The good news is, ruptured eardrums can heal on their own without any treatment, you know. Most cases of tympanic membrane perforation are temporary because the hole in the eardrum has the ability to close on its own. As a result, your hearing function can gradually normalize and allow you to hear clearly again.

Usually, a ruptured eardrum can heal on its own within the next few weeks to three months. However, this depends on the cause of the tympanic membrane perforation that you are experiencing.

If it's caused by an ear infection, your eardrum will usually get better as soon as the infection is treated. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics, either oral medication or ear drops, to treat your ear infection. The sooner the ear infection is treated, the sooner your eardrum will return to normal function.

What are the treatment options for a ruptured eardrum?

If you still experience hearing loss which is quite disturbing, then you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will usually provide:

1. Pain relievers

When a ruptured eardrum causes you pain, the doctor will prescribe a pain reliever medication to be consumed regularly. This drug serves to protect your ear from continuing infection. You will usually be given paracetamol or ibuprofen, according to your health condition.

2. Patch

If your eardrum problem does not go away even after taking medication, you will usually be referred to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor. The doctor will probably put down patch to patch the hole in your eardrum.

Patch this serves to encourage the growth of the eardrum tissue and cover the existing hole. That way, your hearing problems will gradually decrease and return to normal.

3. Operation tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty surgery is a surgical procedure that closes the opening in the tympanic membrane or eardrum. This method is the last resort taken after all unsuccessful attempts to treat a ruptured eardrum.

To close the hole in the eardrum, the doctor will usually take your own body tissue from a specific body part. Because it is a minor type of surgery, you don't need to be hospitalized, or you can go home immediately after the operation is finished while waiting for the recovery period.

What lifestyle needs to be done to speed up healing of a ruptured eardrum?

Although a ruptured eardrum can heal on its own, this doesn't mean you just sit back and wait for your eardrum to heal completely, you know. The reason is, you need to make sure the condition of your ears remains dry to accelerate healing.

Here are tips you can do to speed up healing of tympanic membrane perforations:

1. Make sure the ears are dry

It is not recommended that you swim or dive until your eardrum has completely healed. Likewise, when bathing, you should use a head covering to prevent water from getting into the ears. You can also cover the ear holes with cotton wool coated with petroleum jelly to prevent water from entering the ear.

2. Avoid getting on the plane

Avoid traveling by plane to prevent high pressure in the ear (barotrauma). If there are certain things that require you to get on a plane, use ear plugs (earplug) or chewing gum to balance the pressure in the inner and outer ear.

That way, your eardrum problem can be treated properly and prevent it from recurring.

3. Use earplugs

Protect your ears from damage by wearing earmuffs at work or when playing when there is loud noise.