Bulging eardrums can be unpleasant and prevent you from enjoying dinner with your family or reading at Tower Park. Knowing its causes and possible treatments can help you choose the best treatment route.<\/p>\n\n\n
Causes of Bulging Eardrum<\/h2>\n\n\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/entandallergyspecialists.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Young-woman-with-ear-pain-touching-ear.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA bulging eardrum rarely occurs on its own but is more commonly a symptom of trauma or another underlying condition. Some possible conditions include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Middle ear infections<\/strong>. Also called otitis media, ear infections<\/a> are extremely common, especially in children. As many as five out of six children will have at least one ear infection before their first birthday<\/a>. The fluid buildup behind the eardrum and in the middle ear from the infection can cause the eardrum to become inflamed and lead to irritation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Swimmer\u2019s ear<\/strong>. Also called otitis externa, swimmer\u2019s ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The infection is usually caused when water gets trapped in the ear leading to bacteria growth. A bulging eardrum from swimmer\u2019s ear occurs when the infection spreads down the ear canal and causes inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Bullous myringitis<\/strong>. Caused by viruses and bacteria, bullous myringitis causes small blisters to form in the eardrum. A bulging eardrum can occur when fluid from the infection becomes trapped in the eardrum and causes inflammation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Ear trauma<\/strong>. The eardrum is easily damaged. Trauma from foreign objects like cotton swabs or in-ear headphones, hazardous noise, air pressure changes or head injuries can all cause inflammation leading to a bulging eardrum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
Treatment Options for Bulging Eardrum<\/h2>\n\n\n
Because an underlying condition or injury often causes a bulging eardrum, you should make an appointment with a medical provider if you begin experiencing symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis typically relies on symptoms such as acute ear pain and bulging of the tympanic membrane<\/a>. Your doctor can determine the underlying cause of the bulging eardrum and prescribe a treatment plan<\/a> accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTreatment plans will vary based on the cause of the condition and may include rest or medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For questions or concerns regarding your ear health, contact one of our specialists at ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA bulging eardrum rarely occurs on its own but is more commonly a symptom of trauma or another underlying condition. Some possible conditions include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Middle ear infections<\/strong>. Also called otitis media, ear infections<\/a> are extremely common, especially in children. As many as five out of six children will have at least one ear infection before their first birthday<\/a>. The fluid buildup behind the eardrum and in the middle ear from the infection can cause the eardrum to become inflamed and lead to irritation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Swimmer\u2019s ear<\/strong>. Also called otitis externa, swimmer\u2019s ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The infection is usually caused when water gets trapped in the ear leading to bacteria growth. A bulging eardrum from swimmer\u2019s ear occurs when the infection spreads down the ear canal and causes inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Bullous myringitis<\/strong>. Caused by viruses and bacteria, bullous myringitis causes small blisters to form in the eardrum. A bulging eardrum can occur when fluid from the infection becomes trapped in the eardrum and causes inflammation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Ear trauma<\/strong>. The eardrum is easily damaged. Trauma from foreign objects like cotton swabs or in-ear headphones, hazardous noise, air pressure changes or head injuries can all cause inflammation leading to a bulging eardrum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
Treatment Options for Bulging Eardrum<\/h2>\n\n\n
Because an underlying condition or injury often causes a bulging eardrum, you should make an appointment with a medical provider if you begin experiencing symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis typically relies on symptoms such as acute ear pain and bulging of the tympanic membrane<\/a>. Your doctor can determine the underlying cause of the bulging eardrum and prescribe a treatment plan<\/a> accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Treatment plans will vary based on the cause of the condition and may include rest or medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For questions or concerns regarding your ear health, contact one of our specialists at ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Ear trauma<\/strong>. The eardrum is easily damaged. Trauma from foreign objects like cotton swabs or in-ear headphones, hazardous noise, air pressure changes or head injuries can all cause inflammation leading to a bulging eardrum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
- Bullous myringitis<\/strong>. Caused by viruses and bacteria, bullous myringitis causes small blisters to form in the eardrum. A bulging eardrum can occur when fluid from the infection becomes trapped in the eardrum and causes inflammation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Swimmer\u2019s ear<\/strong>. Also called otitis externa, swimmer\u2019s ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The infection is usually caused when water gets trapped in the ear leading to bacteria growth. A bulging eardrum from swimmer\u2019s ear occurs when the infection spreads down the ear canal and causes inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n