European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Tympanic membrane is a thin, transparent white membrane that separates the external acoustic canal from the middle ear. It is oval in shape and measures 9 mm x 10 mm. It is positioned obliquely at a 55-degree angle with the meatus floor.1 Tympanic membrane is a crucial component of sound conduction since its vibratory feature is required for sound transmission in humans. A defect in the tympanic membrane is termed as tympanic membrane perforation, which can occur due to various causes including trauma.
Objective: To study various etiologies of traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane, their clinical presentation, extent of hearing loss and their response to the various treatment options.
Methodology: A Retrospective study of 100 cases of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation from rural areas was carried out. Data was collected from the ENT OPD Register, Audiology Register and OT Register of the patients who had presented to the Dept of ENT, CIMS Teaching Hospital, Chamarajanagar with features of Traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane. Data was collected regarding the clinical profile of the patients, etiology, site, size of perforation, degree of hearing loss, treatment options utilized, time taken for healing and improvement in hearing after healing of the perforation.
Results: Of the 100 cases of traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane, 59 were male and 41 were female. 49 patients presented with conductive hearing loss in the range of 26-40 dB, 29 patients with 16-25 dB hearing loss. Complete healing was observed within 2-8 weeks in 51 patients and within 8-12 weeks in 34 patients.
Conclusions: Assault was the most common cause of injury to the ear, majority of the patients presented with tinnitus, had small sized central perforation of the tympanic membrane with minimal hearing loss. In majority of the patients, perforation healed spontaneously without active intervention and only a few cases having required active surgical intervention.