5 Causes of Broken Ear Drum, from the Trivial to the Need for Care

Contents:

Medical Video: How to Treat a Perforated Ear Drum | Ear Problems

The eardrum is one of the most important parts of the sense of hearing to capture sounds from the outside. With the eardrum, you can enjoy the sound of music, the chirping of birds, and other sounds. However, many people say that the habit of cleaning the ears with cotton bud and pressure when boarding a plane can be the cause of a ruptured eardrum. Is that true?

What kind of broken eardrum is it?

Eardrums ruptured in medical terms are called tympanic membrane perforations. This occurs when the tympanic membrane experiences a tear that is hollow. The tympanic membrane is a thin tissue that divides the middle ear and outer ear canal.

Normally, the tympanic membrane vibrates when sound waves enter the ear. This vibration will proceed to the hearing bones in the middle ear and be converted into nerve impulses to the brain, so you can hear incoming sounds.

If the eardrum is broken or damaged, the middle ear certainly cannot receive vibrations. You risk experiencing temporary or permanent hearing loss, depending on how severe your condition is.

What are the symptoms of a ruptured eardrum?

Ear pain is one of the most common symptoms of ruptured eardrums. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as:

  • Ear canal contains pus.
  • Bleeding ears.
  • Hearing loss.
  • Ringing ears (tinnitus).
  • Vertigo.
  • Nausea and vomiting, usually caused by vertigo.

What causes the eardrum to rupture?

There are many causes of ruptured eardrums, namely:

1. The entry of foreign particles

Foreign particles that enter too deeply into the ear can increase the risk of a ruptured eardrum. This includes also for those of you who often use ear cleaningcotton bud or ear cleaning iron, these objects can hurt the ear deeper, push earwax inward, and trigger infection.

This condition is very often experienced by children who like to put foreign objects into their ears. So, be careful for your parents and keep an eye on your child while playing.

2. Middle ear infection (otitis media)

ear infection medicine

Middle ear infection or otitis media is one of the most common causes of ruptured eardrums, especially in children. This is because too much fluid builds up behind the eardrum. As a result, the pressure produced causes the eardrum to risk being torn and broken.

3. Hearing sounds too loud

adults get ear infections

Shocked when you hear the sound of lightning, explosions, or very hard shotguns can also make your eardrum burst. Similarly, for those of you who are not used to watching concerts with soundspeakerthe hard, then you should be careful with the risk of ruptured eardrums.

4. High pressure in the ear

aerophobia

High pressure in the ear or barotrauma is a condition when the air pressure in the middle ear with the outside environment is not balanced, often occurs when you board a plane. When the plane takes off, the pressure in the aircraft cabin will decrease or increase dramatically. While the pressure in your ear will be greater and risk causing the eardrum to rupture.

In addition, barotrauma can also be caused by diving activities (scuba diving), speeding on the road while driving, until a direct blow to the ear.

5. Severe head injury

symptoms of brain damage due to head injury

Severe head injuries, such as skull fractures, because accidents or blows can cause damage to the structure of the middle ear and inner ear. This means that your eardrum is at risk of being damaged so that it can eventually cause hearing loss.

5 Causes of Broken Ear Drum, from the Trivial to the Need for Care
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