San Francisco Ear Nose Throat Specialist

To repair an ear drum through surgical means, a graft from the muscle near the ear is taken to repair the hole on ear drum.

Who needs the operation:

Those who have a perforated ear drum with significant hearing loss or recurrent infections due to contamination through the ear drum perforation. It is also indicated for those who are unable to participate in water activities safely due to a perforated ear drum.

Surgical Risk and Complications:

Graft failure (< 10%)

More common risk (around 1 %): allergic reaction to ear packing, infection, bleeding, loss of taste sensation

Less common risk (<1%): hearing impairment, facial nerve injury, dizziness

What would happen if NO operation?

Recurrent infections with ear discharge, sometimes it may come with further hearing impairment due to damage to the inner ear structures.