Perforated eardrum
A perforated or burst eardrum is a hole in the eardrum. It'll usually heal within a few weeks and might not need any treatment.
But it's a good idea to see a GP if you think your eardrum has burst, as it can cause problems such as ear infections.
Signs of a perforated eardrum or ear infection include:
- sudden hearing loss – you may find it difficult to hear anything or your hearing may just be slightly muffled
- earache or pain in your ear
- itching in your ear
- fluid leaking from your ear
- a high temperature
- ringing or buzzing in your ear (tinnitus)
The symptoms will usually pass once your eardrum has healed and any infection has been treated.
When to see a GP
See a GP if:
- you think you have a perforated eardrum
- you have already seen a GP and your symptoms are not any better after a few weeks or you get new symptoms (such as earache, a fever, itching or fluid leaking from the ear)
Your eardrum will usually heal without treatment, but a GP can check for an infection (which may need treatment) and talk to you about how you can look after your ear.
They'll look into your ear using a small handheld torch with a magnifying lens. The tip of this goes into your ear, but it only goes in a little way and should not hurt.
Perforated eardrums do not always need to be treated because they often get better by themselves within a few weeks.
While it heals, the following tips can help you relieve your symptoms and reduce the chances of your ear becoming infected:
- do not put anything in your ear, such as cotton buds or eardrops (unless your doctor recommends them)
- do not get water in your ear – do not go swimming and be extra careful when showering or washing your hair
- try not to blow your nose too hard, as this can damage your eardrum as it heals
- hold a warm flannel against your ear to help reduce any pain
- take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain if you need to (do not give aspirin to children under 16)
If you have an ear infection caused by a perforated eardrum, a GP may prescribe antibiotics.
If the hole in your eardrum is big or does not heal in a few weeks, a GP may refer you to an ear specialist to talk about having surgery to repair a perforated eardrum.
A hole in the eardrum can be caused by:
- an ear infection
- an injury to the eardrum, such as a blow to your ear or poking an object like a cotton bud deep into your ear
- changes in air pressure, such as while flying or scuba diving
- a sudden loud noise, such as an explosion
The following tips may help you avoid damaging your eardrum:
- see a GP for treatment if you have symptoms of an ear infection for more than 2 or 3 days
- do not push anything deep into your ears, including your fingers
- wear suitable ear protection if you're often exposed to loud noises
- when flying, try swallowing, yawning, chewing gum or sucking on a boiled sweet during take-off and landing
Find out more about flying if you have a perforated eardrum
Page last reviewed: Sun Apr 2020 Next review due: Sun Apr 2020
