A tear or hole in the membrane of the middle ear is called a perforated or ruptured eardrum. This can happen if an infection builds up inside the ear or if the eardrum gets injured. You may find it hard to hear out of that ear or may hear a buzzing sound. You may have an earache or have fluids that drain from the ear.
Your eardrum should heal on its own in a few weeks, and you should hear normally then. If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Over-the-counter pain reliever may help your earache.
Your doctor will check to see if your eardrum has healed. If not, you may need surgery to repair the eardrum.
A ruptured (or perforated) eardrum is a tear or hole in the membrane of the middle ear. It's usually as a result of injury (trauma). The eardrum may also rupture from fluid buildup in the middle ear.
A person with fluid buildup in the ear may have severe pain. The pain gets better or goes away when the eardrum ruptures and the pressure is relieved. A ruptured eardrum usually drains suddenly. It leaks fluid that often looks like pus and smells bad. It may even be bloody.
In most cases, the eardrum heals on its own in 1 to 2 weeks, usually without hearing loss. But the injury or infection that caused the rupture often requires treatment and a visit to a doctor.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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