Perforated Ear Drum
A perforated ear drum is a hole in the ear drum.
Etiology for Perforated Ear Drum
A perforated ear drum happens when there is some sort of trauma to the ear drum. Types of trauma include penetrating trauma (the most common of which is a Q-tip) and barotrauma (trauma caused by pressure changes). Anything that is inappropriately inserted into the ear canal can penetrate the ear drum and cause a hole. Examples include Q-tips, bobby pins, sticks, toys, etc. Barotrauma can be caused by scuba-diving, travel in an airplane, a bad ear infection or cold that causes fluid build-up in the middle ear, violent sneezing, etc.
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About Dr. Prasad
Dr. Sanjay Prasad MD FACS is a board certified physician and surgeon with over thirty-two years of sub-specialty experience in Otology, Neurotology, advanced head and neck oncologic surgery, and cranial base surgery. He is chief surgeon and founder of the private practice, Metropolitan NeuroEar Group, located in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area.