Ear Drum Perforation

Tympanic membrane perforation, which is a hole in the ear drum, has many causes including infection and trauma (including pressure changes from flying/diving). The majority of perforations will close by themselves once the infection has cleared, or after a period of time following the trauma, usually by three months.

However, if the perforation persists it can cause a hearing loss and make the risk of infection higher, especially when undertaking swimming and water sports. The operation to help the ear drum close over is called a myringoplasty or tympanoplasty, and may involve a fascia (muscle covering) or cartilage graft to close the perforation and provide scaffolding for the edges of the perforation to heal over.

The aim of the surgery is to make the ear water-proof again. It is undertaken under a general anaesthetic, and involves having packing in the ear canal for two weeks after the surgery to help healing.