Ruptured Eardrum | Medtick
Medtick

Ruptured Eardrum

What is it?

A ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane) is a hole or tear in the thin tissue that separates your ear canal from your middle ear (eardrum).

  • A ruptured, or perforated, eardrum prevents the proper transmission of sound waves to the middle ear and leaves the middle ear more exposed to infectious agents, water and other foreign substances entering the ear.
  • The ear drum/tympanic membrane may heal within a few weeks and might not need any treatment, however if it can cause tinnitus symptoms for four weeks as it completely heels.
  • Please not once the ear drum/tympanic membrane is damaged/perforated one can fly on an airplane (its is when there is pressure on the tympanic membrane that causes ear pain).
If your healthcare professional notice a hole of the tympanic membrane/ear drum via otoscope on top corner, this needs to be further investigated as there could be pressure from another source other than sinus

Cause

  • Infection from the sinus or  severe cold and flu symptoms putting pressure on the tympanic membrane.
  • Air pressure changes from a plane ride or scuba diving (Barotrauma)
  • Loud sound (music in a night club or social bar) or blast, as from an explosion or gunshot (acoustic trauma)
  • Injury caused by objects put into your ear, such as cotton swabs, cotton buds
  • Head injury
  • Head contact sports
  • Ear surgeries or procedures

Symptoms

  • Clear and/or thick and/or yellowish, or bloody ear discharge?
  • Hearing loss (can be sudden)?
  • Earache?
  • Ringing or buzzing in your ear?
  • Ear itching?
  • Balance and dizziness?
  • Fever?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

General tips

This condition should be first confirmed by a medical doctor as it can misdiagnosed for:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Ruptured Eardrum in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

    Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.

  • Medscape (Professional level)

    Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.

  • Healthline

    Medical Information and health advice you can trust

  • EveryDay Health

    Wellness inspired. Wellness enabled.

  • Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)

    The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.

  • NHS

    Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).

  • WebMD

    Better Information. Better Health.

  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

    No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)

  • Drugs.com

    Know more. Be sure.

  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

    Know more. Fell better.

  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

  • Better health - NHS

    Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!

Medtick

© Medtick - 2026. All Rights Reserved.