Duration of a ruptured eardrum

It takes only a few days for an eardrum to heal completely. However, the symptoms caused by the rupture may last longer, but should not exceed one to two weeks. If a massive inflammation of the middle ear is the cause of the tear, healing can take about a week. Any tear that lasts longer indicates a faulty healing process and should be treated further by a physician. Only hearing loss due to a ruptured eardrum can last up to two months and is due to the altered vibratory capacity caused by the new tissue.

Torn eardrum in a child

Children suffer quite frequently from middle ear infections in comparison to adults and therefore have an increased risk of developing a ruptured eardrum. The reason for the increased susceptibility to infections is mainly due to the frequent contact with the pathogens. Especially in kindergarten, the immune system of a child is confronted with many pathogens that its immune system does not yet know.

While playing, transmissions easily occur and the infection develops after an incubation period. Anatomically, the body and in this case especially the throat of the child favors the development of an infection in the middle ear area. The Eustachian tube, which connects the pharynx with the middle ear, is in the growth process in children.

It changes from a short tube that is almost horizontal to the row of teeth to a longer tube that is more vertical. However, as long as the inclined position of the Eustachian tube is not reached, the physiological cleaning process is not fully developed. Gravity cannot be used optimally if the angle for the outflow of secretions and pathogens is not steep enough to the throat.

For pathogens, this means a slight ascent towards the middle ear. The mucous membrane swells reactively in the throat and in the Eustachian tube, sealing the middle ear. A moist chamber in the middle ear now forms an optimal environment for the bacteria.Their growth promotes an inflammatory reaction, which leads to the formation of pus and secretion until the secretion accumulates so massively that the pressure on the eardrum becomes too great.

Since the secretion cannot flow off via the swollen Eustachian tube, it leads to tearing of the eardrum. Relieving the pressure on the middle ear makes physiological sense. Parents may notice the tearing by a statement of earache from the child and later the leakage of secretion or pus from the ear. Usually the pain subsides with the beginning of the secretion flow. Nevertheless, a doctor should examine the ear to assess the damage to the eardrum and, if possible, initiate therapy.