Perforated Eardrum Patient Information
Clear, consultant-led information about perforated eardrums, hearing loss, eardrum repair and ear surgery.
These guides are designed to help you understand common ear conditions, investigations, treatment options and recovery before or after a specialist consultation.
Evidence-informed information to support conversations with your own clinician.
Reliable information before making treatment decisions
Many ear problems can produce similar symptoms. Diagnosis matters before treatment is chosen.
A perforated eardrum can cause hearing changes, discharge or recurrent infection, although some patients have relatively few symptoms.
Many perforations heal naturally. Persistent perforations may require specialist assessment, particularly where hearing loss, recurrent infection or discharge continues.
Patient information can help you understand the terminology and questions involved, but it cannot determine the correct diagnosis or treatment for an individual ear.
Information about perforated eardrums and ear surgery
Start with the topic most relevant to your symptoms, treatment or recovery.
Eardrum Repair
Understand persistent perforation, hearing symptoms and when specialist assessment or repair may be considered.
Read treatment guide → Surgical repairMyringoplasty & Tympanoplasty
Learn about reconstruction of the tympanic membrane and wider middle-ear repair where clinically required.
Read treatment guide → Surgical techniqueEndoscopic Ear Surgery
Learn how endoscopic techniques may be used during selected eardrum and middle-ear operations.
Read treatment guide → Hearing reconstructionOssiculoplasty
Understand reconstruction of the small middle-ear hearing bones and its potential role in conductive hearing loss.
Read treatment guide → Chronic ear diseaseMastoid Surgery
Information about cholesteatoma, chronic ear disease, mastoid surgery and long-term follow-up.
Read treatment guide → Patient articlesLatest Guides
Read practical articles about symptoms, healing, recovery, flying and common questions after ear surgery.
View latest articles ↓Ear health and surgery articles
New patient information is added here automatically when articles are published.
Can You Fly With a Perforated Eardrum? Flying Before and After Ear Surgery
Flying with a perforated eardrum is generally considered safe, but the advice changes if you have recently had surgery to […]
Read article
Myringoplasty Recovery: What to Expect After Eardrum Repair
Myringoplasty recovery is the period during which the repaired eardrum and graft are allowed to heal and become established. The […]
Read articlePerforated Eardrum: Symptoms, Causes, Healing Time and Treatment
A perforated eardrum, also known as a tympanic membrane perforation, is a hole or tear in the thin membrane separating […]
Read article
What Endoscopic Ear Surgery Involves
What Endoscopic Ear Surgery Involves IntroductionEndoscopic ear surgery is regarded as a transformative development in modern otology. Patients are offered less invasive treatment options for conditions such as…
Read articleIf no articles appear while editing this page, view the published page on the front end. The Tympanic Patient Articles plugin renders the article feed server-side.
Some ear symptoms need prompt medical advice
Patient information on this website is not intended to replace urgent clinical assessment.
Sudden or rapidly worsening hearing loss should be assessed promptly.
Severe symptoms, significant injury or concerns about an acute medical problem should not wait for a routine private consultation request.
If you are unsure how urgently you need help, contact an appropriate healthcare service for individual advice.
NHS health information ↗Useful information to bring to an ear consultation
Your symptoms
Think about when the problem began and whether hearing, discharge, infection, pain or balance symptoms have changed.
Previous ear treatment
Previous operations, ear infections, perforations or treatment can be relevant.
Hearing tests
Bring previous audiograms or hearing reports if you already have access to them.
Previous investigations
Reports or imaging from previous ENT care can sometimes help provide useful clinical context.
Patient information from a specialist ear practice
Mr Max Whittaker’s specialist interests include otology, chronic ear disease, hearing loss and endoscopic ear surgery.
He undertook advanced training in Otology and Skull Base Surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and completed international observerships at the House Institute in California and Toronto General Hospital.
Mr Whittaker also holds an MSc with Distinction in Audiovestibular Medicine from UCL and is Clinical Lead in Otolaryngology at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Common questions about perforated eardrums
These answers are general and should not replace individual clinical advice.
Yes. Many perforated eardrums heal naturally. NHS guidance notes that healing commonly occurs within around two months, although individual circumstances vary.
Specialist assessment may be useful when a perforation remains open, hearing remains reduced, infections recur or the ear repeatedly discharges.
Myringoplasty generally refers to surgical reconstruction of a persistent hole in the tympanic membrane. Tympanoplasty may include wider middle-ear reconstruction.
NHS guidance generally states that flying is safe with an untreated perforated eardrum. Advice is different after ear surgery, when you should follow the instructions of your surgical team.
Keeping water out of an ear with a perforation is commonly advised because water entering the middle ear can contribute to infection. Follow any specific advice given by your clinician.
Use the secure Book Consultation page to submit an appointment request. The clinic team will contact you to confirm availability and appointment details.
Patient information cannot replace an ear assessment
Request a private consultation with Mr Max Whittaker if you need an individual diagnosis or treatment discussion.