Repair of Eardrum Perforation Lafayette

Name: Repair of Eardrum Perforation
Brand: Louisiana ENT Specialists
Rating: 5 (341 reviews)

A ruptured or perforated eardrum can cause discomfort, hearing issues, and increase the risk of infections—but at Louisiana ENT Specialists in Lafayette, expert treatment is available to restore your ear's health and function.

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doctor speaking with a patient about ear drum repair

Eardrum Perforation Repair in Lafayette: Expert Care for a Delicate Condition

A perforated eardrum—also known as a tympanic membrane rupture—is a hole or tear in the thin tissue that separates your outer ear from your middle ear. This condition may result from infection, sudden pressure changes, direct injury, or even inserting objects into the ear canal. While some minor ruptures can heal on their own, many require treatment to ensure proper healing and to reduce the risk of ongoing symptoms or complications. At Louisiana ENT Specialists, we provide both non-surgical and surgical repair options for eardrum perforations in Lafayette. Whether your tear is recent or long-standing, we'll help you find the most effective path to recovery. If you're experiencing symptoms of a ruptured eardrum, schedule an evaluation at our Lafayette office to learn about your treatment options.

How Eardrum Repair Works

After diagnosing a perforated eardrum, our providers in Lafayette may recommend one of two treatment approaches:

Patch Repair

For many patients, the first step involves a nonsurgical patch procedure. Your ENT specialist will apply a medical solution to the edges of the tear to stimulate healing, then seal the hole with a small patch. This method may need to be repeated a few times during the healing process. The treatment is performed in-office and usually allows patients to return to normal activities quickly—though care must be taken to keep the ear dry and clean.

Surgical Repair (Tympanoplasty)

If the patch method is unsuccessful or not appropriate due to the size or location of the perforation, surgical intervention may be necessary. Tympanoplasty is a short outpatient procedure in which a small graft of tissue is taken—usually from behind the ear or from the ear canal—and used to close the hole in the eardrum. Most patients go home the same day and experience minimal downtime.

Common Causes of Eardrum Perforation

A hole in the eardrum can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Severe or recurring ear infections
Sudden loud noises or blasts (acoustic trauma)
Direct blows to the head or ear
Pressure changes from air travel or scuba diving
Insertion of cotton swabs or foreign objects
Sudden drainage from the ear

If you've experienced one of these events and now have ear pain, hearing changes, or ringing in your ear, it's important to have your ear examined by an ENT provider.

Who Can Benefit From Eardrum Repair?

Not every perforated eardrum will require medical or surgical repair, but for patients who do not heal naturally, treatment can prevent long-term complications and improve quality of life.

Eardrum repair may benefit:

Patients with persistent or recurring symptoms from a past rupture
Individuals who have experienced a recent eardrum injury and want faster healing
Those with significant hearing loss due to the perforation
People experiencing ear infections or drainage due to the tear
Patients who tried the patch method but now require surgical closure

Symptoms of a Ruptured Eardrum

You may not immediately know you have a perforated eardrum, especially if the pain is mild. Symptoms to watch for include:

Sudden sharp or dull ear pain
Hearing loss in one ear
Fluid drainage from the ear (may be clear, bloody, or pus-filled)
Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
A sensation of fullness in the ear
Dizziness or balance issues
Nausea associated with inner ear disturbance

If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's best to have your ear evaluated promptly.

Your Treatment Experience at LENTS

At your visit, your Lafayette ENT provider will perform a thorough ear exam—often with the assistance of magnification and imaging tools. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, they'll walk you through the recommended treatment plan.

For patch repair, you'll receive topical treatment and a gentle patch application, with minimal discomfort and a quick recovery.
For surgery, your provider will discuss anesthesia, the graft process, and aftercare. The procedure typically takes less than two hours, and you'll be able to return home the same day.

In either case, our team will monitor your progress and provide follow-up support to ensure your eardrum heals properly.

Eardrum Perforation Repair FAQs

How do I know if my eardrum is ruptured?

You may feel pain, pressure, or hear a change in sound. A provider at LENTS can confirm with a quick examination of your ear canal.

Is surgery required in all cases?

No. Many small perforations heal naturally or with a patch treatment. Surgery is reserved for cases where other methods are ineffective or inappropriate.

Will I need to stay overnight for surgery?

No. Tympanoplasty is typically performed on an outpatient basis, and you'll be able to go home the same day.

Why Choose Louisiana ENT Specialists in Lafayette?

Our ENT providers understand how even a small injury like a perforated eardrum can impact your comfort, hearing, and peace of mind. We offer the latest treatment options in a calm, patient-focused setting—right here in Lafayette. From diagnosis to post-treatment care, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

If you're dealing with ear pain or hearing changes, contact Louisiana ENT Specialists in Lafayette to schedule your eardrum evaluation and start your recovery today.