A ruptured eardrum can result in hearing loss. It can also make your middle
ear vulnerable to infections
. A ruptured eardrum usually heals within a few weeks without treatment. But sometimes it requires a patch or surgical repair to heal.
What happens if a ruptured eardrum goes untreated?
If left untreated, you
risk major inner and middle ear infections, middle ear cysts and the possibility of long term hearing loss
. Ruptured eardrums are diagnosed in a health care provider’s office using an instrument called an otoscope, which has an internal light which allows the doctor to see the eardrum clearly.
What are the symptoms of eardrum infection?
- Ear pain that may subside quickly.
- Mucuslike, pus-filled or bloody drainage from your ear.
- Hearing loss.
- Ringing in your ear (tinnitus)
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Nausea or vomiting that can result from vertigo.
Do I need antibiotics for a ruptured eardrum?
Most ruptured (perforated) eardrums heal without treatment within a few weeks.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops if there’s evidence of infection
. If the tear or hole in your eardrum doesn’t heal by itself, treatment will likely involve procedures to close the tear or hole.
How long does it take for an ear infection to rupture?
It takes
several weeks (about two months)
for a ruptured eardrum to heal. Most people will not lose all of their hearing, however, rarely, hearing loss may occur in the damaged ear.
What antibiotics treat ruptured eardrum?
Ofloxacin otic
is used to treat outer ear infections in adults and children, chronic (long-lasting) middle ear infections in adults and children with a perforated eardrum (a condition where the eardrum has a hole in it), and acute (suddenly occurring) middle ear infections in children with ear tubes.
What is the best antibiotic for ear infection?
- Amoxil (amoxicillin)
- Augmentin (amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate)
- Cortisporin (neomycin/polymxcin b/hydrocortisone) solution or suspension.
- Cortisporin TC (colistin/neomycin/thonzonium/hydrocortisone) suspension.
Can you put peroxide in a ruptured eardrum?
Using
too much hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin inside the ear
, leading to inflammation and earaches. People should not use ear drops if they have an ear infection or a damaged eardrum.
How bad does a ruptured eardrum hurt?
A ruptured eardrum, like a clap of thunder, can happen suddenly. You may feel a
sharp pain in your ear
, or an earache that you’ve had for a while suddenly goes away. It’s also possible that you may not have any sign that your eardrum has ruptured.
How should I sleep with a ruptured eardrum?
Sleeping upright
is a great help when it comes to resting with ear infection symptoms. Sleeping sitting up can allow fluid in your ear to drain easier, as well as easing pressure and pain in your middle ear – the likely source of the infection itself.
What happens if you get water in a perforated eardrum?
It’s very important to keep your ear dry if the eardrum membrane has been ruptured, because any water that gets inside
the ear could lead to infection
.
How do you open a blocked ear?
If your ears are plugged, try
swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum
to open your eustachian tubes
How long will my ruptured eardrum drain?
It should be gone
by 3 days (72 hours)
. The hole heals over in 1 to 2 days. The drainage stops soon after that.
Can you fly with ruptured eardrum?
Yes, it is safe to fly with a perforated (burst) eardrum
. But if you’ve had surgery to repair a perforated eardrum (myringoplasty), you shouldn’t fly until your doctor or surgeon says it is safe to do so.
How do I clean an infected ear?
- Applying a warm compress to the infected earlobe or cartilage.
- Rinsing the infected earlobe with sterile saline.
- Using antibiotic ointment on the affected area.
- Taking oral antibiotics for more severe infections.
