Perforated eardrum: signs, healing and what to avoid
A perforated or burst eardrum is a hole or tear in the thin membrane between your ear canal and your middle ear. Most heal on their own within a few weeks to two months. Looking after your ear in the meantime makes a real difference.
A small hole in a delicate membrane.
Your eardrum is a thin, tightly stretched membrane that vibrates when sound reaches it, passing those vibrations on to the tiny bones of the middle ear. It also acts as a barrier, keeping water and bacteria out of the middle ear.
When the eardrum tears, sound is not passed on as efficiently, so hearing is often muffled, and the middle ear is open to infection. Small perforations usually heal by themselves as the skin of the eardrum grows back across the gap. Larger ones, or those that keep getting infected, may need a small operation to repair.
Pressure from fluid behind the eardrum builds until it bursts. The pain often eases as the fluid drains.
If it has not healed after about two months, your GP can refer you to ENT to discuss repair.
Signs of a perforated eardrum.
See your GP or contact NHS 111. They will check the ear and advise on treatment. Once it has healed, a hearing test confirms your hearing has recovered.
How eardrums get perforated.
The most common cause, as pressure from infected fluid builds behind the eardrum.
Read about ear infectionsCotton buds, hair grips and fingernails pushed too far.
Flying, scuba diving or a blow to the ear, such as a slap or a fall onto water.
A sudden explosion or blast close to the ear.
A significant head injury can damage the eardrum and the structures behind it.
Long-term middle ear infections can leave a hole that does not heal by itself.
Looking after your ear while it heals.
- Keep the ear dry. No swimming, and keep water out when showering and washing your hair. Cotton wool coated in petroleum jelly in the outer ear helps.
- Do not put anything in the ear, including cotton buds, oils or drops, unless a doctor has prescribed them.
- Avoid blowing your nose hard, which pushes pressure up into the middle ear.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain.
- Avoid flying and diving until your GP or ENT doctor says it has healed.
Antibiotics may be prescribed if there is an infection. Your GP may want to check the ear again in a few weeks, and will refer you to ENT if it has not healed after about six to eight weeks, or if you have repeated infections.
If you have had a perforation in the past, tell us before any earwax removal. Water irrigation must be avoided, and we will check whether microsuction is suitable for you.
Checking your hearing once it has healed.
Hearing usually recovers once the eardrum heals. A full test confirms it has, and shows whether anything else has changed.
If a perforation has not healed, or has left a permanent loss, hearing aids can often help. We can advise on suitable styles.
With a history of perforation, irrigation must be avoided. We will assess whether microsuction is suitable for you.
If we see a perforation at an appointment, we explain what we found and write to your GP.
Get urgent help if
- The perforation followed a head injury
- You have severe dizziness, vomiting, or cannot walk steadily
- You have sudden significant hearing loss
- You have a high temperature, swelling behind the ear, or a severe headache
Go to A&E after a head injury. For the other symptoms, contact NHS 111 or your GP the same day.
Frequently asked questions.
Most heal by themselves within a few weeks to two months. Larger perforations, or those that keep getting infected, can take longer or may need a small operation called a myringoplasty.
In most cases, yes. Hearing usually returns to normal once the eardrum has healed. If it does not, have your hearing tested.
It is usually best to avoid flying until it has healed. Ask your GP or ENT doctor before you travel.
Yes, but keep water out of the ear. Cotton wool coated in petroleum jelly in the outer ear works well.
Ask your GP. It is often best to leave the aid out of the affected ear, particularly if there is discharge, until the eardrum has healed.
Healed? Check your hearing.
A free hearing test in our Birmingham clinic, or a home visit across the West Midlands.
Ear infectionsEar dischargeEaracheConductive hearing lossHearing tests
Written and clinically reviewed by our HCPC registered audiologists. Last reviewed: 15 October 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your hearing or your ears, book an appointment or speak to your GP.