Eardrum Repair (Myringoplasty & Tympanoplasty)

Eardrum repair is a specialized surgical procedure where a hole in the eardrum is closed using a small graft of the patient's own tissue. This procedure is recommended when a perforation fails to heal naturally over time, resulting in persistent hearing loss, recurrent ear infections, or chronic discharge.

Depending on the extent of the repair, the surgery is referred to as either a myringoplasty (repairing only the eardrum membrane) or a tympanoplasty (which may also include reconstructing the tiny hearing bones behind it). The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and in the vast majority of cases, the hole is successfully closed during the very first operation.

What is a Perforated Eardrum?

The eardrum—medically known as the tympanic membrane—is a thin, fragile barrier separating the ear canal from the middle ear. It serves two vital purposes:

1. Protection: It seals the delicate middle ear cavity from water, bacteria, and debris.
2. Hearing: It vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting and amplifying those vibrations through the ossicular chain (the three tiny middle ear bones) and into the inner ear.

A hole in this membrane can occur due to a severe middle ear infection, a previous ear tube (grommet), sudden pressure changes (barotrauma from flying or diving), or direct physical trauma (such as a blow to the ear). The most common symptoms are hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and fluid drainage, especially if water gets inside.

Does a Hole in the Eardrum Always Require Surgery?

No. Many small perforations heal completely on their own within a few months of the initial injury. For this reason, a watchful waiting period of a few months is usually recommended.

However, if the hole persists for more than 6 to 12 months, or if it causes significant hearing impairment and recurrent infections, surgical closure is highly appropriate. As long as the perforation remains open, you must take strict care to keep your ear completely dry to prevent bacteria from entering the middle ear. An ENT specialist will evaluate your ear and discuss whether surgery is necessary.

How is the Operation Performed?

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, typically using an endoscopic or microscopic approach directly through the ear canal, leaving no visible external scars.

The surgeon harvests a tiny graft of the patient's own tissue—usually a piece of cartilage, fascia (connective tissue), or muscle membrane from the area around the ear—and uses it to carefully patch the hole. In some cases, the surgeon may need to access the area through a small incision behind the ear, which heals into a discreet, well-hidden scar.

Once the graft is in place, the surgeon secures it with dissolvable support materials and places protective ear packing inside the ear canal to support the eardrum as it heals.

What Are the Risks and Complications?

While the vast majority of patients recover smoothly, all surgical procedures carry some degree of risk.

In a small percentage of cases, the tissue graft may not take, meaning the hole does not heal completely and a repeat procedure may be required. While hearing improves for most patients, in rare instances, it may remain unchanged or worsen. Other temporary side effects can include mild dizziness during the first few post-operative days, tinnitus, a localized ear infection, or a temporary change in taste on one side of the tongue (due to a small nerve that runs directly behind the eardrum). Your specialist will thoroughly discuss these risks with you before you consent to the procedure.

Can Children Undergo Eardrum Repair?

Yes, children can successfully undergo this procedure. However, because post-operative care requires strict cooperation—particularly keeping the ear completely dry and quiet during the healing phase—the surgery is typically not recommended until the child is 8 to 9 years old. In younger children, we generally recommend waiting, as many pediatric perforations (especially those following ear tube placement) resolve naturally over time.

Post-Operative Care and Recovery

Your recovery is focused primarily on keeping the operated ear completely dry.

• The protective packing placed in your ear canal will be carefully removed by your specialist during your post-operative check-ups over the following weeks.
• If you have any stitches behind your ear, they are typically removed after approximately one week.
• You must avoid getting any water in your ear during the entire healing phase, and air travel should be avoided for the first few weeks to prevent pressure damage to the healing graft.
• Your final hearing results will be formally assessed with a comprehensive hearing test a few months after the surgery.

When Should You See a Specialist?

You should consult an ENT specialist if you experience persistent hearing loss, chronic discharge, or repeated ear infections, or if you have a known eardrum perforation that has failed to heal over several months. For sudden, severe ear pain or a sudden drop in hearing, contact your family doctor or emergency services immediately.

Eardrum Repair at Charlottenlund Privathospital



At Charlottenlund Privathospital, eardrum perforations are repaired by highly experienced ENT surgeons for both pediatric and adult patients. We perform a significant number of these delicate microsurgeries annually, serving self-paying patients, those with private health insurance, and public patients referred under our official tender agreement with the Capital Region of Denmark (Region Hovedstaden).

Every patient receives baseline and post-operative hearing tests to ensure a highly individualized, premium care path.

Visit our departments page to explore our services or schedule a preliminary consultation.