Eardrum Repair Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is eardrum repair surgery?
Eardrum repair surgery is an operation to close a hole, or perforation, in the eardrum. The eardrum is a thin, tightly stretched membrane at the end of the ear canal. It passes sound vibrations to the tiny bones of the middle ear and acts as a seal that keeps water and germs away from the space behind it. When it has a hole, that seal is broken, and the ear becomes prone to infection, discharge and reduced hearing.
The surgeon lays a small patch of your own tissue across the hole, and the edges of the eardrum then grow over it. The patch is usually taken from the thin layer covering a muscle above the ear, or from the cartilage and its lining near the ear opening. Because the graft comes from your own body, it blends in as the eardrum heals. When the repair involves only the membrane it is called myringoplasty; tympanoplasty is the wider term, used when the surgeon also checks or repairs the space and small bones behind the drum.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, eardrum repair is carried out by the ENT surgeon as a planned day-case operation in most cases.
Who needs it
Eardrum repair suits people whose perforation has stayed open for some months after an ear infection or injury. The common reasons to consider it are an ear that keeps discharging, especially after water gets in, hearing that has dropped on the affected side, and a wish to swim, dive or travel with a sealed ear once more.
The first step is usually patience and good ear care, because many small holes close by themselves within weeks. While waiting, the ear is kept dry and any infection is treated with ear drops or other medicines chosen for that purpose; the ear infection treatment page describes this care. A hearing aid is another option for people who prefer to manage hearing loss without an operation, and fitting is arranged through an audiologist by referral.
Surgery comes into the discussion when the hole persists and the ear has settled. Your ENT surgeon examines the eardrum under magnification, reviews your hearing test, and talks through the aims: a dry ear, fewer infections, and in many people some improvement in hearing. The choice is yours, made together with the surgeon once you understand the benefits and the alternatives.
What happens
Eardrum repair is usually done under general anaesthetic, and some small repairs can be done with the ear numbed. The anaesthetist explains the plan beforehand; see Anaesthesiology.
The surgeon reaches the eardrum either through the ear canal or through a small cut in the crease behind or just in front of the ear. The edges of the hole are freshened so they will grow, the graft is placed beneath or across the opening, and dissolving packing is set in the canal to hold everything in position while it heals. A cotton wool ball and sometimes a head bandage protect the ear for the first day.
Preparing for it
A recent hearing test gives a record of your hearing before the operation, so the result can be compared afterwards. The ear should be as dry and infection-free as possible on the day, so follow the drop routine you were given and keep water out of the ear in the weeks before.
You also have a pre-operative assessment to confirm you are fit for the anaesthetic. Tell the team about every medicine you take, especially blood thinners, and mention any history of dizziness or previous ear surgery. Arrange for an adult to take you home and stay with you on the first night.
Afterwards
Mild ache, a blocked feeling and muffled hearing are normal at first, because the packing fills the canal. Some people notice a crackling sound or a taste change on that side for a while. Keep the ear completely dry until your surgeon says otherwise: a cotton wool ball coated with petroleum jelly in the ear opening works well during showers. Sneeze with your mouth open, avoid blowing your nose hard, and hold off flying, swimming and heavy lifting until you are cleared.
At the follow-up visit the surgeon clears any remaining packing and checks the graft, and a repeat hearing test is arranged once the eardrum has healed. For people who swim in pools, the sea or take part in water sports around the UAE, the surgeon advises when water is safe again and whether custom ear plugs are worthwhile.
Contact the hospital if the ear starts to discharge heavily, smells unpleasant or becomes increasingly painful. Seek urgent care straight away for severe dizziness, weakness of the face on the operated side, or a high fever after ear surgery.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover eardrum repair when it is medically needed, and the operation usually requires pre-approval before a date is set. Your hearing test results and the surgeon's report support the request. The team at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
Will a hole in my eardrum heal by itself?
Many small holes in the eardrum heal by themselves within a few weeks, especially those caused by an infection or a slap to the ear. Keeping the ear dry and treating any infection gives the best chance of natural healing. Surgery is considered when a perforation stays open for some months.
What are the risks of eardrum repair surgery?
Eardrum repair surgery carries the risks of any operation, including infection, bleeding and a reaction to the anaesthetic. Specific to the ear, the graft may fail to take and the hole can reopen, hearing may stay the same or occasionally worsen, and some people notice dizziness, ringing or a change in taste on one side of the tongue. Facial weakness is rare. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to your ear before you decide.
Will my hearing improve after eardrum repair?
Hearing often improves after eardrum repair, but the main aims of the operation are a dry ear and protection from infection. How much hearing changes depends on the size and position of the hole and on the health of the small bones behind the eardrum. A hearing test before and after surgery shows the result for your ear.
Can I swim after eardrum repair surgery?
You can usually swim again after eardrum repair once your surgeon confirms the graft has fully healed. Until then, keep the ear dry. Some people choose custom ear plugs for pools, the sea and water sports, and your surgeon will advise whether you need them.
Can I fly after eardrum repair?
Flying is usually postponed for a period after eardrum repair, because pressure changes in the cabin can disturb the healing graft. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to fly, so mention any planned travel before you book the operation.
Why does my ear keep discharging when water gets in?
An ear with a hole in the eardrum discharges after water exposure because water passes through the hole into the middle ear and carries germs with it. Showering, swimming and even wudu can set off an infection. Keeping water out of the ear helps, and closing the hole with surgery restores the seal.
Is eardrum repair done as a day case?
Eardrum repair is usually done as a day case, which means you go home on the same day as the operation. Your surgeon may advise an overnight stay depending on your health and the extent of the repair.
Is eardrum repair covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover eardrum repair when it is medically needed, and pre-approval is usually required before surgery. A hearing test and the surgeon's report support the approval request. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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