Eardrum Repair SoCal’s Otolaryngology Experts
Our board-certified ENT specialists provide advanced, minimally invasive eardrum repair techniques. These methods ensure the best chances of optimal results with minimal recovery time.
Our board-certified ENT specialists provide advanced, minimally invasive eardrum repair techniques. These methods ensure the best chances of optimal results with minimal recovery time.
A perforated eardrum can affect hearing, cause recurring infections, and create ongoing discomfort. While some tears may heal naturally, others require medical treatment to restore normal function and prevent long-term issues.
At the Southern California Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy (SoCal ENT) in Palm Springs, our board-certified ENT specialists perform advanced, minimally invasive eardrum repair procedures designed to promote natural healing and improve hearing outcomes. Each treatment plan is tailored to your needs, combining surgical precision with compassionate care.
Using the latest techniques and technology, our team focuses on achieving optimal recovery and long-term ear health. If you’re struggling with ear pain, drainage, or hearing loss, SoCal ENT provides the expertise and individualized care needed to restore comfort and clarity.
A hole or tear in the eardrum—known as a tympanic membrane perforation—can result from infection, injury, or long-standing ear disease. This condition may cause hearing loss, ear pain, drainage, or repeated infections, affecting both comfort and hearing ability. While some small perforations can heal naturally, larger or chronic openings often need medical repair to restore proper function and prevent complications.
At SoCal ENT in Palm Springs, our specialists provide a range of eardrum repair options tailored to each patient’s needs. Treatments may include in-office patch repairs for minor tears or advanced tympanoplasty surgery for more significant damage. Both approaches are designed to rebuild the eardrum, enhance hearing, and protect against future infections—helping you regain lasting ear health and clarity.
The first step in treating a perforated eardrum is a thorough evaluation of the size, location, and cause of the tear. Based on your exam, your ENT specialist at SoCal ENT will recommend the most appropriate approach—either an in-office paper patch repair or a surgical tympanoplasty. Before your procedure, your doctor will review every detail, answer questions, and ensure you’re comfortable and informed.
For small eardrum perforations, our specialists may perform a paper patch myringoplasty, a brief, in-office procedure that promotes natural healing. A thin medical-grade patch is placed over the opening in the eardrum to stimulate tissue regeneration and closure. In certain cases, a gel foam patch or a small amount of fat tissue from the ear may be used for added support. This minimally invasive option requires no incisions and allows patients to return to normal activities quickly.
When the perforation is larger or long-standing, a tympanoplasty may be recommended to fully reconstruct the eardrum. Using minimally invasive microsurgical techniques, the ENT surgeon accesses the eardrum through the ear canal or a small incision behind the ear. A natural tissue graft—usually taken from fascia or cartilage lining—is carefully positioned to close the perforation and restore function.
Absorbable packing material is sometimes placed in the ear to support healing. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day with minimal discomfort and excellent long-term outcomes.
Eardrum repair helps restore normal hearing and prevents the ongoing problems that can result from an untreated perforation. By closing the opening in the eardrum, sound can once again travel efficiently to the inner ear, improving clarity and overall hearing quality.
A repaired eardrum also protects the middle ear from bacteria, water, and debris, lowering the risk of repeated infections or fluid buildup. Many patients experience relief from ear pain, drainage, and pressure once healing is complete. In addition, reinforcing the eardrum helps reduce the likelihood of future perforations, supporting lasting ear health and stability.
Eardrum repair is recommended for perforations that do not heal on their own or continue to cause hearing and comfort issues. The procedure helps correct damage from infection, injury, or chronic ear conditions, restoring the ear’s natural barrier and function. Common reasons for tympanoplasty or patch repair include:
Tears or holes in the eardrum caused by infections, trauma, or sudden pressure changes.
Repeated infections that weaken or damage the eardrum, leading to recurring drainage or discomfort.
Perforations that disrupt sound transmission and reduce hearing sharpness.
Openings in the eardrum that allow bacteria, moisture, or debris to enter the middle ear, increasing the risk of infection and irritation.
A myringoplasty or tympanoplasty helps restore the eardrum’s natural structure and function, improving hearing, reducing the risk of infection, and supporting long-term ear health.
Your ENT specialist at SoCal ENT will assess the size, location, and cause of the perforation to recommend the most effective treatment plan.
You may be a good candidate for repair if you have:
Most healthy adults and children with persistent or large perforations are suitable for tympanoplasty, which can restore the eardrum’s integrity, improve hearing, and prevent future complications.
Recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed and the extent of the repair. Patients who undergo an in-office paper patch typically heal within a few days, experiencing only mild fullness or sensitivity in the ear.
For those who have a tympanoplasty, recovery usually takes several weeks to a few months. During this time, patients may notice gradual improvement in hearing as the eardrum heals and swelling subsides. Our specialists provide detailed post-procedure instructions to support healing, prevent infection, and protect the ear from pressure changes or water exposure.
Follow-up visits ensure proper recovery and lasting results, helping patients return to normal hearing and comfort as quickly as possible.
After eardrum repair, patients often notice clearer hearing and improved ear comfort as the eardrum heals and resumes normal sound transmission. Speech and everyday sounds become sharper and more natural, making communication easier and more enjoyable.
The repaired eardrum also provides better protection against infection and moisture, helping to prevent recurring ear problems. As healing continues, the membrane strengthens, reducing the chance of future perforations or chronic issues.
Most patients experience noticeable progress within a few weeks and complete healing over the following months. With proper aftercare and follow-up, results are long-lasting, offering restored hearing and renewed confidence in ear health.
Most procedures cause little discomfort, and any pain is manageable with medication.
A paper patch procedure usually lasts under 30 minutes, whereas tympanoplasty can take from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the eardrum repair.
Most patients notice significant improvement in their hearing once they have fully healed.
Recovery times differ, typically ranging from weeks to months, but many resume normal activities swiftly. Your specialist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, monitor your healing progress, and be available to address any questions or concerns during your recovery.
Tympanoplasty is often performed on children to address chronic eardrum perforations.
