A ruptured eardrum can cause hearing loss, pain, ringing, dizziness, and nausea. It can be caused by trauma, infection, or barotrauma. Symptoms should not be ignored as permanent hearing damage can occur. Treatment may include repair or bandaging of the membrane.
A ruptured eardrum is a tear in the tympanic membrane that separates the outer and middle ear. Ruptured eardrum symptoms include hearing loss, drainage, pain or discomfort, hearing ringing or buzzing, dizziness, and nausea. A ruptured eardrum, also known as a perforated tympanic membrane or perforated eardrum, can be very painful, and a person who has these symptoms should see a doctor or ear doctor.
The eardrum plays an important role in the hearing process and ear health. The membrane is responsible for detecting sound wave vibrations and then transmitting the impulses to the brain, which converts these impulses into sound. It also protects the inner ear from foreign bodies and prevents bacteria from traveling to the middle and inner ear. When a tear occurs, the hearing process is damaged and the ear can become infected. Ruptured eardrum symptoms should not be ignored because permanent damage to a person’s ability to hear can be affected.
While some people will experience no symptoms, most people complain of sharp pains or general discomfort. The pain may subside after ear drainage occurs. The drainage may be clear or may contain pus or blood due to damage or an infection in the ear.
Ringing, buzzing, clicking and ringing are also among the symptoms of ruptured eardrum. The ringing or buzzing sound, known as tinnitus, is without an external source and usually signals hearing loss. Hearing loss is the result of the eardrum rupturing failing to send the nerve impulses it converted from sound waves to the brain. If the tear in the membrane is small, a doctor may be able to repair it or apply a band-aid to help the healing process. the person’s ability to hear will return once the tear is healed.
Vertigo, the sensation of spinning or unsteadiness, occurs because the inner ear contains structures of balance. When the eardrum is damaged, these structures can be disrupted. Dizziness and nausea are commonly felt during vertigo. These symptoms usually come and go quickly.
Ruptured eardrum symptoms may also be associated with some type of trauma that has occurred, such as an extremely loud noise, which can cause a tear in the thin membrane. Barotrauma, where there is unequal pressure inside and outside the ear, can also cause an eardrum to rupture. Barotrauma usually occurs when divers descend or ascend too rapidly or when an aircraft’s altitude changes dramatically. Head injuries or trauma from piercing the eardrum with an object will also cause ruptured eardrum symptoms. Similarly, a middle ear infection could cause the eardrum to rupture if a buildup of fluid in the ear puts excessive pressure on the tympanic membrane.
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