Tympanic Perforation Closure

The usual indications for closure of tympanic membrane perforations are to reduce the incidence of middle ear infections and to improve hearing. Not every perforation needs to be or should be closed, however.

If the tear or hole in the eardrum doesn't heal by itself, treatment will likely involve procedures to close the tear or hole. These may include: Eardrum patch. If the tear or hole in the eardrum doesn't close on its own, an ENT specialist may seal it with a paper patch (or a patch made of other material).

Many tympanic membrane perforations resolve spontaneously. At times, a perforation heals with a thin membrane consisting only of mucosal and squamous epithelial layers, without a fibrous middle layer. Such a neomembrane may be so thin that it is mistaken for an existing perforation instead of a healed one.