Injury of the tympanic membrane, often caused by direct or indirect external force.

bubble_chart Etiology

Injuries can be categorized into mechanical injuries (such as damage to the eardrum from using matchsticks, knitting needles, etc., or punctures and burns from slag, sparks, etc.) and barotrauma (such as slapping the ear, explosions, cannon blasts, firecrackers, high diving, etc.). Other causes include longitudinal fractures of the temporal bone and foreign objects.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

After the tympanic membrane ruptures, one may suddenly experience ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, slight bleeding, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. In addition to causing tympanic membrane rupture, blast injuries can also damage the inner ear due to intense movement of the stapes, leading to vertigo, nausea, or mixed hearing loss. Examination often reveals a slit-like perforation in the tympanic membrane with small amounts of blood at the edges, and blood or scabs may sometimes be seen in the external auditory canal. If watery fluid is discharged, it indicates a cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea due to a skull base fracture. The deafness is either conductive or mixed.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Apply antibiotics to prevent infection strictly, avoid ear canal irrigation or ear drops, and use sterilized cotton balls to block the ear canal opening. Avoid common colds and do not blow your nose forcefully to prevent infections from the nasopharynx. Refrain from swimming or allowing any liquid to enter the ear before the perforation heals. Most traumatic perforations can heal on their own within 3 to 4 weeks. Larger perforations that do not heal over time may require tympanic membrane repair surgery.

Strengthen health education and prohibit the use of sharp objects such as matchsticks and hairpins to clean ears. Be careful and moderate when removing foreign objects or earwax from the ear canal to avoid damaging the eardrum. In the event of explosions, such as mountain blasting, artillery fire, or firecrackers, use cotton or fingers to block the ears, and wearing protective earplugs is even more effective.