Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news
Ruptured Eardrum
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A perforated eardrum occurs when there is an opening in the membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear.
What is going on in the body?
The eardrum is the dividing line between the external and middle ear. The external ear is formed by the auricle, which is the external ear flap, and the external ear canal. The middle ear is the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the three small bones for hearing. The eardrum is an important barrier between the environment and the middle ear. It also vibrates to transmit sound, part of the normal hearing mechanism.
The eardrum may be ruptured due to trauma, such as a sharp blow to the external ear. It can also rupture when pressure builds up in the middle ear and pushes the eardrum outward.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Following are some of the common causes of a ruptured eardrum:
Sometimes, the eardrum is deliberately perforated when ear tubes are placed. A surgeon places these small tubes into the eardrum when a person has chronic ear infections. They allow drainage of infected material from the middle ear and lower the pressure within the middle ear.