Eardrum Perforation in NYC
Eardrum perforation can compromise your hearing and bring on other serious health complications. If you are experiencing eardrum perforation in NYC, it is important to get it addressed as soon as possible.
The eardrum (also known as the tympanic membrane) is the thin layer of skin that covers the deeper air-containing space called the middle ear. It is a barrier to external objects entering the ear. It serves to ‘focus’ the sound energy to the ossicular chain. The ossicular chain is a chain of three bones that conduct the sound energy through the middle ear to the inner ear where the nerve endings are located. The three bones are (in order from external to internal): Malleus, Incus, and Stapes.
An opening in the tympanic membrane, also known as eardrum perforation, can result in hearing loss by interfering with the normal transfer of sound to the ossicular chain. Perforations are small holes or piercings and typically occur from injury or repeated infections. At times, the ossicular bones may be damaged or dislocated. This causes a disruption of sound energy transmission and thus a conductive hearing loss.
The normal conductive mechanism is re-established when the tympanic membrane and/or the ossicular bones are repaired. This also significantly improves hearing loss.
SURGERY FOR EARDRUM PERFORATION: TYMPANOPLASTY
If left untreated, a perforated earlobe can cause significant hearing loss and leave you vulnerable to infection. Some cases of eardrum perforation can actually heal on their own, which is why some doctors prefer to wait a little while before performing tympanoplasty on a child. However, if the eardrum perforation does not close within three months, it is unlikely to heal on its own. In that case, the patient may need surgery.
Tympanoplasty is the most efficient surgery to repair a ruptured eardrum. If needed, Tympanoplasty can repair the ossicles (this is called ossicular chain reconstruction). This surgery typically requires a graft of your own tissues. In order to obtain the graft, the surgeon takes a patch of tissue from behind the patient’s ear, which may leave a small scar.
You can expect tympanoplasty to last anywhere between two and three hours. Although, it may take several hours for the general anesthesia to wear off.
While recovering from Tympanoplasty, stay away from activities that will bother the affected area. Refrain from participating in contact sports or anything that causes a change in pressure. Avoid swimming, scuba diving, and flying on an airplane. You should also abstain from blowing your nose and avoid water getting in your ear for the first few months post-surgery.
If you believe you or your child’s hearing will benefit from tympanoplasty surgery, please consult a specialist to learn more about your options.