Perforated Eardrum Repair

What is a perforated eardrum?

A perforation is a hole in the eardrum. It can follow an ear infection, an injury (such as a slap, a cotton bud or a pressure change when flying or diving), or a grommet that has come out. It can cause hearing loss, repeated discharge – especially after water gets in – and tinnitus.

Will it heal on its own?

Many small perforations from a recent injury heal without surgery, usually within 1–3 months. Keeping water out of the ear and avoiding hard nose-blowing helps. Perforations that are large, long-standing or caused by chronic infection are less likely to heal by themselves.

When is repair recommended?

• A hole that has not healed after 2–3 months

• Repeated ear infections or discharge

• Bothersome hearing loss

• To allow swimming and water activities

Tympanoplasty – how the eardrum is repaired

A small graft of your own tissue – cartilage or temporalis fascia – is placed across the hole and the eardrum heals over it. Cartilage grafts have a slightly higher success rate in pooled studies. Dr Reddy often performs the repair endoscopically (keyhole) through the ear canal, usually without a cut behind the ear. The eardrum closes successfully in the large majority of operations, and most people notice better hearing.

Recovery

This is usually day surgery. Keep the ear completely dry for several weeks, avoid flying for a few weeks until you are told it is safe, and avoid heavy lifting and forceful nose-blowing for about two weeks. Final hearing results are assessed a few months after surgery.

Frequently asked questions

Will I have a scar? Endoscopic repair through the ear canal usually leaves no visible scar. Larger holes sometimes need a small cut behind the ear.

When can I swim again? Usually after the eardrum is confirmed healed at follow-up, often 6–8 weeks after surgery.

Can children have the operation? Yes. Timing in children depends on age and ear health, and Dr Reddy will discuss this with you.

Patient information sheet

Download the Eardrum repair information sheet (PDF).

Please note: the sheet is a general summary of the published medical literature. The figures describe groups of patients and are not specific to your condition – Dr Reddy will discuss your own situation and options with you.

Where Dr Reddy sees patients

Dr Reddy sees adults and children at Macarthur ENT in Gregory Hills and Campbelltown, and at My-ENT in the Sydney CBD (Macquarie Street). He operates at Sydney Children’s, Prince of Wales and Liverpool hospitals (public) and Camden Surgical, Sydney Southwest Private, Prince of Wales Private and St Luke’s hospitals (private).

Referral

GPs, paediatricians and other specialists can refer via HealthLink (Macarthur ENT EDI: macarent; My-ENT EDI: myentdr), email referrals@drrithvikreddy.com or use the online referral form. A current referral from a GP or specialist is needed for a Medicare rebate.

Dr Rithvik Reddy

Expert ENT services for adults and children.

Contact for appointments

Referring doctors can email referrals@drrithvikreddy.com to make appointment

Macarthur ENT

Shop 2101, Level 2, 31A Lasso Rd, Gregory Hills NSW 2557

Suite 102, Building B, Level 1, 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown NSW 2560

Phone (02) 4625 1682 · Fax (02) 4625 1032

Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

My-ENT, Sydney CBD

Suite 303, Level 3, BMA House, 135 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone (02) 9247 1762 · Fax (02) 9247 2141

Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm

© 2026 Dr Rithvik Reddy. All rights reserved.