Ruptured Eardrums: What Are They?
A ruptured eardrum, otherwise known as a perforated tympanic membrane, is a tear or hole in the delicate tissue that makes up the eardrum. Ouch!
A ruptured eardrum, otherwise known as a perforated tympanic membrane, is a tear or hole in the delicate tissue that makes up the eardrum. Ouch! There are many ways to rupture an eardrum and some are preventable. For instance, if you haven’t heard us say it before, we’ll say it again: ditch those cotton swabs! They push the wax in farther down your ear canal and may perforate the eardrum if pushed too hard. Scientists say not to put anything in your ear canal smaller than your elbow (there’s an image).
Ruptured eardrums do heal within a few weeks, and most people do not require surgery or a patch to heal.
Causes of ruptured eardrums according to the Mayo Clinic include:
Now you know all about ruptured eardrums. Most importantly, you know to keep those cotton swabs out of your ears! For more information, click here.