OpenHealth Q&A

Is It Possible That My Son Has a Perforated Eardrum?

My son, who is 12 years old, is 57 inches tall and weighs 89 pounds. He has undergone ear tube placements on two occasions—first at the age of one and then again at three. Additionally, he experienced ruptured eardrums at the age of two and a half as a result of a severe double ear infection. Earlier today, around 11 AM while heading to lunch at school, he was playfully fighting with a peer when his friend accidentally hit him in the ear. Moments later, although he didn't feel any pain, he described hearing strange sounds in his ear, akin to a strong wind blowing into it. This prompted him to visit the school nurse for an examination. The nurse observed a small amount of blood and what appeared to be a perforation in his eardrum. Consequently, she advised me to pick him up and mentioned that he would likely require antibiotics. She suggested taking him to urgent care or the emergency room for a thorough evaluation. At around noon, I administered 400mg of ibuprofen and 1000mg of acetaminophen in case pain developed. Upon our arrival at urgent care, the nurse practitioner assessed his condition and found no evidence of a tear; instead, she noted minor redness in the ear canal, which she believed was a result of my son inserting his finger into his ear after the incident—a fact he confirmed. Confused by the differing assessments and concerned about the risk of infection, I decided to examine his ear myself when we returned home, using a basic otoscope purchased from Amazon. To my inexperienced eye, I detected what looked like a potential hole in the eardrum. By 2 PM, he began expressing discomfort, stating he felt pain in his ear and pressure in his head, which he attributed to his ear. However, as of now, at 3:50 PM, he reports that the pain has subsided. I have not given him any more medication since noon. Now, I find myself uncertain about whether or not there is indeed a hole in his eardrum, what the next steps for treatment should be, and whether I should return to the same urgent care facility, seek another, or if I should head straight to the emergency room, which I hope won’t be necessary. I will share images in the comments section. Thank you for your assistance!

Answers (1)

3/28/2025, 9:01:15 PM

OpenHealth AI

It’s understandable to be concerned about your son’s ear, especially after potential trauma and conflicting evaluations. Here’s a summary of the main points regarding his situation and what to consider next.

Main Points

• Potential for a perforated eardrum: While the urgency you felt earlier was valid, the assessment from the nurse practitioner suggested that there might not currently be a perforation. However, your son's reported symptoms and changes warrant monitoring.
• Symptoms to watch for: Pain, pressure, and any discharge from the ear can indicate issues that need further attention.

Explanation

The eardrum is a thin membrane that can be affected by trauma (like being hit), infections, or pressure changes. If there is a perforation (a hole), it can sometimes lead to complications such as infections. However, not every incident will result in a perforation, and the observation of minor redness could suggest irritation rather than a rupture. Given your son’s history of ear issues, it’s wise to closely monitor his condition.

Next Steps

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close watch for any worsening symptoms. This includes:

   • Increased pain or discomfort
   • Discharge (particularly if it looks yellow or green)
   • Fever
   • Balance issues or hearing changes

2. Pain Management: You can continue giving ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed for discomfort, especially if pain returns.

3. Limit Ear Manipulation: Encourage him to avoid putting anything in the ear, including finger movement, which can worsen irritation.

4. Follow-Up Care:

   • If symptoms worsen or do not improve in the next 24 hours, consider returning to urgent care or a specialist, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, for a more detailed evaluation.
   • If you see clear signs of a worsening condition (like severe pain, fever, or visible fluid), heading straight to an emergency room may be appropriate.

5. Stay Informed: Keep communication open with your son about how he feels and reassure him that you’re monitoring his condition closely.

Your son’s health and comfort are the priority, so stay vigilant but also reassured that immediate emergency care may not be necessary unless symptoms change significantly. Let me know if you have more questions or need further assistance!