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A perforated eardrum is a tear or hole in the thin membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. It can result from ear infections, injury from inserting objects into the ear, sudden pressure changes (such as diving or a blow to the ear), or loud noise.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Perforated eardrum, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — See your GP if pain, discharge, or hearing loss doesn't improve within a couple of weeks, as further treatment or specialist review may be needed.
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A perforated eardrum is a tear or hole in the thin membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. It can result from ear infections, injury from inserting objects into the ear, sudden pressure changes (such as diving or a blow to the ear), or loud noise.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
You have ear pain, discharge, or sudden hearing loss following an injury or infection
A perforated eardrum is a tear or hole in the thin membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. It can result from ear infections, injury from inserting objects into the ear, sudden pressure changes (such as diving or a blow to the ear), or loud noise.
Symptoms can include ear pain that suddenly eases, hearing loss, a discharge from the ear, ringing (tinnitus), or dizziness. Most perforations heal on their own within a few weeks.
See your GP if pain, discharge, or hearing loss doesn't improve within a couple of weeks, as further treatment or specialist review may be needed.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Most perforated eardrums heal naturally within a few weeks without any specific treatment, as long as the ear is kept dry and protected.
Keeping the ear completely dry is the single most important thing you can do while a perforated eardrum heals.