Q: Which doctor should I consult for tympanic membrane perforation?
A: You should consult your primary physician who willtake your medical history and based on your symptoms decide the course ofdiagnosis or treatment and if required, may refer you to an ENT (Ear, Nose andThroat) specialist.
Q: Is age a factor to consider for performing surgeries as treatment?
A: Surgical success in repairing tympanic membrane perforationsis not dependent on age.
Q: What makes tympanic perforations fail to heal?
A: Infection and tissue loss are the reasons that prevent tympanic perforations from healing.
Q: What kind of precautions should you take to let the eardrum perforation heal?
A: Do not let water get into your ear during the healing period. This will prevent infection of the middle ear. Cover the ears with watertight earplugs during swimming or a cotton plug soaked in Vaseline® when taking a shower.
Q: Can eardrum perforation be cured?
A: If the eardrum perforation is small and is detected early, then with the right management, the perforation will heal. However, complications may arise when the perforation does not heal beyond 6 months or if the perforation is large in size. The complications include dizziness, prolonged vertigo, long-term hearing loss, persistent ear infections, and infection of the bone behind the ear (mastoiditis).
