Torn eardrum in a baby

It is not unusual for babies to suffer from a ruptured eardrum. Especially in the winter months they catch a cold quickly and the infection causes the mucous membranes in the throat area and thus also in the Eustachian tube to swell. The Eustachian tube is a connection between the middle ear and throat in all people and serves to equalize the pressure in the middle ear.

In babies, it is particularly short and lies almost horizontally, so that pathogens can easily reach the middle ear during a cold. There they find an optimal breeding ground, as the swollen mucous membranes seal the middle ear towards the throat and create a moist environment. The proliferation of bacteria and the associated inflammatory reaction triggers a strong secretion of the mucous membranes with pus formation.

If the accumulated fluid volume is too large and exerts too much pressure on the eardrum, it empties via the external auditory canal through a rupture of the eardrum. For the baby, both the inflammation of the middle ear and the rupture of the eardrum is a painful process. Constant whimpering and hand movements in the direction of the ear can thus indicate a ruptured eardrum.

If secretions escape from the ear, this is almost conclusive. However, a high fever with constant restlessness can also indicate an inflammation of the middle ear. Stopping drinking may indicate painful sucking and swallowing.

One reason for this pain may be insufficient pressure equalization between throat and middle ear during swallowing, which may be caused by the swollen mucous membranes. If there is any suspicion of a ruptured eardrum, a pediatrician should therefore be consulted in order to spare the baby unnecessary pain and not to reduce his or her desire to drink. In most cases, a torn eardrum can also be regarded as rather harmless. However, if it is not assessed by a doctor, a large defect can be overlooked, which in the worst case can impair the development of hearing.