TreatmentEar and hearing
Eardrum repair
Eardrum repair closes a hole that has not healed or is causing repeated infections or hearing problems. The surgeon uses a small patch of tissue to help the eardrum heal.
ENT care in Bandra, MumbaiAbout Dr Adip Shetty
- Names you may hear
- Myringoplasty or tympanoplasty.
- Main aim
- Close the hole and reduce recurring ear problems.
- After surgery
- Keep the ear dry and attend the healing check.
When is repair worth considering?
Many new holes heal naturally. Repair is considered for a lasting hole, repeated discharge or hearing difficulty. The ear must be examined and hearing tested to decide what the operation can reasonably achieve.
What happens during surgery?
A tissue patch is placed against the eardrum through the ear canal or a cut near the ear. Some operations also repair the small hearing bones. Packing supports the repair while it heals.
What recovery involves
Packing can make hearing feel blocked at first. Many people take around two weeks off work. Keep water out of the ear and avoid swimming, forceful nose blowing and flying until the surgeon clears you. A follow-up examination and hearing test assess the result.
Risks and limitations
The patch may fail to heal or the hole may return. Infection, taste changes, dizziness and worse hearing are possible; facial-nerve injury is rare. Hearing improvement depends on the rest of the ear as well as the eardrum.
When to contact the team
Increasing pain, swelling, fever or worsening discharge needs prompt advice. New facial weakness, sudden hearing loss or severe dizziness needs urgent assessment.
A note on your care
“A repair needs time to heal. Before you go home, you should know how to protect the ear and when to ask about swimming, flying and returning to your routine.”
A little more clarity
Common questions
General answers, so you can arrive with a clearer sense of what to ask.
Will my hearing improve immediately?
Not usually. Packing and swelling can make it sound muffled. The result is assessed after healing.
Can I fly after the operation?
Wait until the surgeon confirms it is safe. Pressure changes can affect a new repair, and timing varies with healing.
What is the difference between myringoplasty and tympanoplasty?
Myringoplasty repairs the eardrum. Tympanoplasty can include repair of the eardrum and structures in the middle ear.
What if the hole comes back?
The ear is reassessed. Observation, hearing support or another repair may be considered depending on symptoms and the cause.
Sources and review
Updated . General information to help you prepare for a consultation. Information on this website does not replace a consultation.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Adip Shetty on .
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