This treatment is considered when an ear drum is not working effectively, either because of a hole within it, or when the drum is sucked inwards. In such cases the ear drum can no longer efficiently transmit sound energy to the 3 bones of hearing, resulting in hearing loss. Additionally, having this problem on the ear drum increases the risk of ear infections, especially after water exposure. The aim of the procedure is to repair the hole and/ or to improve the position of the ear drum.

Surgery involves placing a graft (for example, using cartilage around the ear) to act as a temporary scaffold so that your ear drum can naturally heal the hole. Additionally, if we find that one of the 3 bones of hearing has been damaged by the disease, we will endeavour to repair the damage to improve your hearing (Ossiculoplasty).

The surgery successfully repairs the ear drum hole and leads to improvement in hearing, in 9 out of 10 cases. The surgery does not reverse any damage your condition has already done to the inner ear.

Tympanoplasty is a safe procedure frequently performed in an operative theatre, without any problems. However, there are rare but potential risks of surgery that you should be aware of:

Whilst 9 out of 10 of people report an improvement in hearing, 1 in 10 report no difference and of these, 1 in 200 patients complain of reduced hearing.

1 in 5 people complain of a metal taste on the tip of half their tongue following surgery. This is temporary. Permanent change in taste is very rare. If your taste is central to your career (e.g. chef or sommelier) please discuss this with your surgeon.

The effect of this surgery on tinnitus is unpredictable. Many patients report an improvement in their pre-existing tinnitus, some report no change and rarely patients report a deterioration in their tinnitus.

Patients occasionally report temporary balance disturbance following surgery. Permanent change in balance is extremely rare following this surgery.

This is a minor operation performed in an operating theatre, with the patient awake but lightly sedated, in most cases. The expert use of local anaesthesia can ensure the procedure is completely pain free. A general anaesthetic can be requested by the patient but has additional risks and increased recovery times.

In most cases the procedure can be completed through the ear hole. Rarely a small and discrete cut needs to be placed around the ear. The operation takes less than one hour, and patients go home on the same day. Any cuts will be closed with absorbing sutures and covered with glue.

A pack is left in the operated ear for less than 2 weeks to reduce the risk of post-operative infections. Due to the pack, patients often cannot hear effectively from this ear until we remove it in clinic. People who have surgery must keep their ears dry (use cotton wool soaked in vaseline) and avoid rapid air pressure changes (e.g. flights or diving) for the first 2-4 weeks. People who have surgery traditionally take 1 week off from work depending on the physicality of their job.