Is the eardrum prone to rupture?

The diaphragm in the ear is a very sensitive and important part, but is it easy to rupture? The eardrum is relatively easy to rupture, so you should take care to protect it in daily life. Especially when children have a cold, you must pay attention to the occurrence of otitis media. If not treated in time, the stimulation of secretions will cause the eardrum to rupture and cause deafness. In addition, you should also be careful when digging earwax and not do it frequently, especially when digging for children.

1. Tympanic membrane perforation caused by cold or otitis media

Children are most likely to suffer tympanic membrane perforation due to upper respiratory tract infection and acute otitis media. Peng Hua said that because the middle ear canal is connected to the Eustachian tube, bacteria and viruses in the throat will travel back to the middle ear and cause otitis media. The inflammatory secretions will stimulate the eardrum to rupture from the inside out.

2. Digging through the earwax accidentally

When parents pick their children's ears, they often don't know how to do it properly and can easily rupture the child's eardrum.

3. Being hit on the ear by the ball or hand while playing, or being slapped in the face during an argument.

Because the eardrum is very small, only 0.1 mm thick, it will be damaged by violent force.

4. Loud noise (such as setting off firecrackers)

The eardrum is not only a barrier between the outer ear and the inner ear, but also a tissue that conducts sound. Loud sound waves that exceed its tolerable range will also break the eardrum.

5. High diving and scuba diving

The opening and closing of the Eustachian tube in the ear can timely adjust the air pressure balance of the internal and external auditory canals. If the Eustachian tube is damaged and cannot adjust the air pressure balance in time, then when the air pressure changes suddenly, such as high diving or scuba diving, and there is negative pressure in the ear, the eardrum will be sucked in by the pressure and perforated.

Keep it dry, the ruptured eardrum will heal on its own in 3-4 weeks

Once the eardrum is perforated, the ossicles in the middle ear, the Eustachian tube, the round window membrane, the facial nerve bony canal, etc. are exposed to the air and are prone to infection. At the same time, due to the reduction of the effective vibration area of ​​the eardrum, the efficiency of sound conduction is reduced, resulting in symptoms such as ear pain, tinnitus, hearing loss, and possible small amounts of bleeding. Although it looks serious, the eardrum has the ability to regenerate, and most small perforations will heal automatically within 3-4 weeks. Peng Hua pointed out that it is worth noting that after the eardrum is perforated, it is strictly forbidden to use any anti-inflammatory ear drops (unless there is an infection), otherwise it is very likely that the perforation will not heal.

Dr. Peng emphasized that after the eardrum is perforated, it is very important to keep the ears dry. Do not let water in the ears when washing your hair or taking a bath. Otherwise, once the eardrum is infected and festered, it may spread to the middle ear. Generally, traumatic tympanic membrane perforation can heal on its own in about a month if there is no infection. Large perforations are difficult to heal on their own, so you should go to the hospital for regular checkups to observe the recovery of the eardrum. If it does not heal within three or six months, surgery may be needed to repair the eardrum to prevent further hearing loss. Usually, repairs can only be made after the infection has been controlled (i.e. the water has dried up) for two months.

Tips: Tips for protecting the eardrum

1. When encountering a loud noise, open your mouth quickly to open the Eustachian tube; or close your mouth and cover your ears with both hands to keep the air pressure inside and outside the eardrum balanced; or plug your ears with cotton balls to protect them from breaking the eardrum.

2. Do not use sharp objects to remove earwax to avoid injuring the external auditory canal and eardrum.