Ear drum Perforation: Essential Prevention Tips and Effective Rehabilitation Strategies
Hearing is often compromised because of damage to eardrum. Being a delicate tissue, it can be injured with trivial trauma. However, the hearing loss because of such injuries can be managed with timely intervention.
Ear drum:
Also known as the tympanic membrane, it is a thin membrane between the ear canal and the middle ear. The conducted sounds cause vibrations in this membrane, which are transmitted to the middle and inner ear. The energy thus produced is conducted to the brain along the cochlear nerve. The brain then identifies the energy as the sound that we hear.
As the eardrum plays a key role in sound conduction, damage can result in reduced hearing. Also, any hole in the eardrum leaves the middle ear exposed to air, water, and infections.
Causes of ear drum perforation :
Eardrums can get perorated by different types of injuries. It can be a direct injury, for example, cleaning the ear and damaging the eardrum. A slap on the ear or sudden exposure to loud noise can also damage the eardrum. Many cases occur after ear infection, which typically starts after an episode of cold. Few cases occur because of damage after some medical procedure, like foreign body removal from ears, or ear surgeries.
Prevention of ear drum perforation:
Tympanic membrane injuries can be prevented by avoiding aggressive self-cleaning of the ears. It is better to go to your doctor and get your ears checked if you feel that your ears need cleaning. You can clean your ears with soft earbuds and limit the cleaning to the outermost part. Inserting sharp or blunt objects like needles, keys, sticks, or even water or oil to clean ears can cause holes in the ear drum.
Covering ears with headbands or earbuds while swimming, diving, and other water sports can protect your ears. Avoiding loud noise exposure can help save your eardrum and prolong your hearing.
Rehabilitation after ear trauma:
If an ear injury is followed by pain, bleeding, hearing loss, or a ringing sensation in the ear, it is pertinent to consult your doctor. In the case of an eardrum hole, you may need an operation called tympanoplasty, in which tissue from the patient’s body is used to seal the hole. Many such holes can heal with medicines and care. While in the healing stage, it is recommended to prevent any further water exposure or injury to the ears. Nasal and sinus infections must not be ignored, as they can worsen the ear condition.
