What does it mean to have a retracted eardrum?
A tympanic membrane retraction, or retracted eardrum, is a condition where the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, gets pulled toward the middle of your ear. The tympanic membrane is a thin layer of tissue found between your inner and outer ear.
What does retraction of the tympanic membrane indicate?
Tympanic membrane retraction describes a condition in which a part of the eardrum lies deeper within the ear than its normal position. The eardrum comprises two parts, the pars tensa, which is the main part of the eardrum, and the pars flaccida, which is a smaller part of the eardrum located above the pars tensa.
Is a retracted eardrum normal?
A retracted eardrum is a sign of auditory tube dysfunction and the underlying cause needs to be found and treated. If left untreated, the negative pressure inside the middle ear can lead to other problems including: Erosion of the ear canal.
Is it safe to fly with a retracted eardrum?
Yes, it is safe to fly with a perforated (burst) eardrum. But if you’ve had surgery to repair a perforated eardrum (myringoplasty), you shouldn’t fly until your doctor or surgeon says it is safe to do so.
Is a retracted eardrum serious?
Minor ear retractions often don’t cause symptoms and resolve on their own within a few months. However, more serious retractions lead to ear pain and hearing loss. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe a decongestant or recommend surgery.
What does negative ear pressure mean?
Obstruction or blockage of the eustachian tube results in a negative middle ear pressure, which will cause the ear drum to retract (suck in). In adults this is usually accompanied by some ear discomfort, a fullness or pressure feeling and may result in a mild hearing impairment and ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
How do you know if your tympanic membrane is bulging?
Symptoms that may occur along with a bulging eardrum include:
- Pain in the affected ear or ears1.
- Fullness in the ear caused by trapped fluid behind the eardrum.
- Temporary hearing loss.
- Fever.
How should the tympanic membrane appear?
The normal tympanic membrane is in the neutral position (neither retracted nor bulging), pearly gray, translucent and responding briskly to positive and negative pressure, indicating an air-filled space.
Can a retracted eardrum be fixed?
Does it require treatment? To treat a retracted eardrum, you’ll see a specialist called an ear, nose, and throat specialist. However, not all retracted eardrums require treatment. Mild cases often improve as pressure in your ear returns to its usual level.
Is negative ear pressure normal?
There is no distinct value of negative pressure that clearly distinguishes between normal and pathological condition, but it is concluded that a middle ear pressure worse than -150 mmH2O should be considered a probable hearing handicap.
How do you fix negative ear pressure?
To relieve ear pain or discomfort, you can take steps to open the eustachian tube and relieve the pressure, such as:
- Chew gum.
- Inhale, and then gently exhale while holding the nostrils closed and the mouth shut.
- Suck on candy.
- Yawn.
What can cause a retracted eardrum?
Retracted eardrums are caused by a problem with your Eustachian tubes . These tubes drain fluid to help maintain even pressure inside and outside of your ears. When your Eustachian tubes aren’t working correctly, decreased pressure inside your ear can cause your eardrum to collapse inward.
What do people usually feel when they have a ruptured eardrum?
Earache. The first sign of a ruptured eardrum is generally ear pain.
What should you do while your ruptured eardrum heal?
Typically, no specific treatment is needed for a ruptured eardrum; the vast majority of ruptured eardrums heal within three months. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic — either oral or in the form of eardrops — to prevent an ear infection or treat an existing infection.
How do you get rid of ear pain?
Hot compress. In order to reduce the ear pain and the inflammation, you may apply hot compress, which is considered to be very effective in killing ear pain. You can simply use a hot pack or electric heating pack to get rid of the pain. This is because the heat helps to soothe the pain and give you the much-needed relief.