May also be called: Perforated Eardrum; Ruptured Eardrum A perforated (or ruptured) eardrum is a hole in the eardrum caused by injury or infection. More to Know A perforated (or ruptured) eardrum is often painful and fluid may drain from the ear. Someone with a ruptured eardrum might have dizziness or nausea, ringing or buzzing in the ear, and might not hear as well as usual. In most cases, the hole closes on its own and hearing returns to normal within several months. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection or apply a small paper patch to speed up healing. Sometimes, surgery is needed to repair a persistent hole that hasn't healed. Keep in Mind A perforated eardrum usually doesn't cause long-term problems. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Word! Eardrum Your eardrum is a really important part of your ear. Read More A to Z: Impacted Cerumen Learn more about imnpacted earwax build-up, which can cause temporary hearing loss and ear pain. Read More Ear Injuries Ear injuries not only can affect a child's hearing, but sense of balance too. That's because our ears also help keep us steady on our feet. Read More Senses Experiment: Model Eardrum How does the eardrum work? Find out by trying this experiment. Read More Dealing With Earwax Earwax helps protect the eardrum and fight infection. Parents shouldn't attempt to remove earwax at home, as doing so risks damage to the ear canal and, possibly, a child's hearing. Read More Ears Hearing may be the ears' main job, but it's not all they do. Learn all about the ears in this Body Basics article. Read More Eardrum Injuries A "popped" eardrum is more than just painful - it can sometimes lead to hearing loss. Learn about ruptured eardrums and how to prevent them. Read More Ears Hearing is their main job, but it's not all your ears do. Find out all about them in this body basics article for teens. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.