Perforated eardrum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|---|---|---|
| ICD-10 | H72. | |
| ICD-9 | 384.2 | |
| DiseasesDB | 13473 | |
| eMedicine | ent/206 | |
| MeSH | C09.218.903 | |
Rupture or perforation (hole) of the eardrum can occur in infection, trauma (e.g. by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion or loud noise. Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure,[1] and blocked eustachian tubes resulting from the cold.[citation needed] This is especially true on landing. This leads to conductive hearing loss.
The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or up to a few months.[2] Some perforations require intervention - this may use a paper patch to promote healing (simple procedure in the office of an ear, nose and throat specialist), or surgery (tympanoplasty).[3][4]
Hearing is usually recovered fully, but chronic infection over a long period may lead to permanent hearing loss.
