A retracted eardrum occurs when the pressure in the middle ear is too low, caused by infections or a blocked Eustachian tube. It can cause increased hearing sensitivity and pain. Treatment may not be necessary, but in severe cases, a valsal maneuver or decongestants may be recommended.
A retracted eardrum occurs when a person’s eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is sucked in or pulled into the space behind it. This happens when the pressure in this space, known as the middle ear, is too low. Infections usually cause this ear problem, but a rapid change in outside air pressure can also cause the pressure inside a person’s ear to drop rapidly, possibly causing a retracted eardrum.
The tympanic membrane is more commonly called the eardrum and is a very thin and flexible membrane. It is located between the external ear canal and the middle ear. A thin tube, known as the Eustachian tube, connects the middle ear to a person’s nose and throat and helps maintain the correct pressure in the middle ear, relative to the pressure outside. When this tube is blocked, the pressure in a person’s ear becomes too low, creating a vacuum.
Infection is considered the main cause of a blocked Eustachian tube. During many ear infections, fluid builds up in the inner or middle ear. This fluid will sometimes block the Eustachian tube opening in the ear. Air from outside the ear cannot enter the middle ear, causing negative pressure which can create a retracted eardrum. Although it can happen in adults, retracted eardrums occur more often in children, especially those who have recurring ear infections.
One of the main symptoms of this condition is increased hearing sensitivity. A person with a retracted eardrum often hears most sounds louder than they actually are. Pain may also be present.
To diagnose a retracted eardrum or any other ear infection, a doctor can examine a person’s ear with an otoscope. By looking through this instrument, he can see if an eardrum is inflamed, swollen, or retracted. Many times, a retracted eardrum isn’t considered very serious. Treatment may not be necessary, as the Eustachian tube may become clear on its own.
In severe cases, however, a doctor may refer a patient to an otolaryngologist, who is a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat problems. These doctors may recommend that patients perform something called a valsal maneuver. This maneuver can increase pressure in the middle ear, which will often help the eardrum return to its natural position. To do this, the patient is asked to hold their breath by pinching their nose and closing their mouth while trying to expel the air at the same time. Sometimes decongestants are recommended to drain mucus away from the Eustachian tube.
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