A perforated eardrum can heal on its own in most cases, but recovery depends on protecting the ear from water, pressure, and infection. Learn the healing timeline, what to avoid, and when to seek medical help.
Perforated Eardrum: Causes, Symptoms, and What to Do Next
When your perforated eardrum, a tear or hole in the thin membrane separating your outer ear from your middle ear. Also known as eardrum rupture, it can happen from loud noises, infections, or physical trauma. This isn’t just a minor annoyance—it can affect how you hear, cause pain, and sometimes lead to lasting damage if not handled right.
A ear infection, a common cause of eardrum damage, especially in kids builds pressure behind the eardrum until it bursts. Sudden changes in air pressure—like during flying or scuba diving—can also do it. Even something as simple as poking your ear with a cotton swab too far can tear the membrane. And if you’ve had a head injury or a blow to the ear, that’s another red flag. You might notice sudden sharp pain, then relief as fluid drains out. Hearing may feel muffled, or you might hear ringing or buzzing. Dizziness or nausea can happen too, especially if the inner ear is involved.
Many people think a perforated eardrum means permanent hearing loss, but that’s not usually the case. Most small tears heal on their own in a few weeks if you keep the ear dry and avoid blowing your nose hard. Bigger holes or those caused by chronic infections might need a patch or even surgery. The key is not to ignore it. If you’ve had a recent ear injury or infection and now your hearing feels off, don’t wait. See a provider. Antibiotics might be needed to prevent infection in the middle ear. And if you’re using ear drops, make sure they’re safe for a perforated eardrum—some can actually hurt more than help.
You’ll also want to watch for signs of complications. A fever, worsening pain, or drainage that smells bad could mean an infection is spreading. Dizziness that doesn’t go away? That’s your body telling you something’s wrong deeper inside. These aren’t normal. And if you’ve had multiple perforations over the years, your hearing might not bounce back the same way each time. That’s why tracking your ear health matters.
Below, you’ll find real, practical advice from people who’ve been through this—how to protect your ears during recovery, what medications to avoid, and how to tell if you need professional help. No fluff. Just what works.