The eardrum separates theexternal (outer) earfrom themiddle earand vibrates in response to sound waves.
The eardrum is vulnerable to infection and injury, the most common of which includes aruptured eardrum.
Hearing loss and ear pain are common signs of an eardrum injury.
This article describes the anatomy and function of the eardrum.
It also looks at conditions that affect the eardrum, including how they are diagnosed and treated.
Anatomy of the Eardrum
The eardrum.
Its primary function is to transmit sound from the air to bones in the middle ear calledossicles.
The vibration of the ossicles, in turn, causes the fluid-filledcochleaof the inner ear to vibrate.
These impulses are finally delivered to the brain via thecochlear (auditory) nerve.
It is a relatively common injury affecting seven out of every 1,000 people at some point in their lives.
There will almost invariably be some degree of hearing loss, but the impairment is often temporary.
Depending on the severity of the injury, healing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
If the damage is severe, a surgery calledmyringoplastymay be performed to repair the damage.
The surgery typically involves a tissue graft that acts as scaffolding for the tympanic membrane to grow back on.
Myringoplasty takes between one and two hours and may involve eitherlocalorgeneral anesthesia.
By contrast, SOM may not cause any notable symptoms in babies or young children.
Older children or adults may complain of muffled hearing or a sensation of fullness in the ear.
If symptoms are severe, antibiotic eardrops may be prescribed.
Oral antibiotics are rarely used.
Unless it is causing symptoms, SOM may not be treated and will usually resolve on its own.
Tympanosclerosis
Tympanosclerosisis the hardening and scarring of the tympanic membrane and middle ear.
It triggers when an infection or injury causes the overproduction of collagen and the build-up of calcium in tissues.
If only the eardrum is affected, it is calledmyringosclerosis.
The diagnostic process for tympanosclerosis is the same as that used for a ruptured eardrum.
If hearing loss occurs, ahearing aidmay be recommended.
Surgery can be used to remove sclerosed (hardened) tissues, but the results are highly variable.
The eardrum is vulnerable to injury, including a ruptured eardrum, middle ear infections, and tympanosclerosis.
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