An eardrum repair surgery may be recommended in the following cases:

• Severe ear infection (otitis media)
• Injury or trauma to the eardrum
• Perforated eardrum
• Dysfunctional eustachian tube (a thin passage that connects the throat to the middle ear)
• Cholesteatoma (a growth within or behind the eardrum)
• Loud noise causing damage to the eardrum or the bones present behind the eardrum

Symptoms:
The following symptoms could indicate the need for eardrum repair surgery:

1. Ear pain
2. Bleeding from the ears
3. Fluid leakage and discharge from the ears
4. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
5. Dizziness 
6. Vertigo
7. Nausea
8. Vomiting

1. Physical examination: The doctor will evaluate the physical health of the patient. The patient’s medical history and symptoms are noted.
2. Laboratory tests: The discharge from the ear is examined under a microscope to check for the presence of bacterial infection or other types of infections.
3. Tuning fork evaluation: This test is performed to check whether the middle or inner ear is damaged.
4. Tympanometry: This test helps in detecting the response of the eardrum to changes in pressure and checks for abnormalities in the middle ear functions.
5. Audiology exam: The amount of hearing loss can be assessed using this test.

Eardrum repair surgery can be performed in the following different ways:

Myringoplasty:

1. In case of a small eardrum hole, the doctor will first try to patch the hole using a gel or a paper-thin tissue. 
2. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, that is, the treatment area is numbed using anesthesia.
3. The gel or tissue-like material used will usually dissolve completely within 2 to 3 months.
4. This procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Tympanoplasty

• This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, that is, the patient is put to sleep during the procedure.
• If the patient has a large hole in the eardrum or a chronic ear infection that cannot be treated using antibiotics, this procedure is performed.
• An incision is first made behind the outer ear or above the ear canal.
• A laser or micro-hook is then used for removing any extra folds of tissue or scar tissue that may be present around the middle ear.
• The doctor will then take a piece of tissue from the back of the ear or lobe of the skin to graft it onto the eardrum in proximity to the hole.
• The incision is then closed using sutures.
• The type of procedure takes about two to three hours to complete.

Ossiculoplasty: This procedure is sometimes done along with an eardrum repair surgery. This procedure is performed under the effect of general anesthesia. It is done when the ossicles (bones of the middle ear) are damaged due to ear infections or trauma. These bones will be replaced by artificial prosthesis or bones from a donor.

Eardrum repair surgery may be associated with the following complications:

• Bleeding
• Ear infection 
• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic agent used 
• Permanent hearing loss
• Damage to the nerves
• Loss of taste 
• Failure of eardrum hole healing
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Damage to the bones inside the ear

1. It takes at least one or two weeks to recover after an eardrum repair surgery. Complete recovery will however take two to three months.
2. You will be given ear packs to protect your ears.
3. You need to change the cotton of the ear pack regularly.
4. It is normal to have some ear pain and soreness for a few days after surgery. The doctor will prescribe painkillers to relieve this discomfort.
5. You may have some bleeding and drainage from the ear for a few days after surgery.
6. Sutures will be removed approximately one week after surgery.
7. You can normally resume work one to two weeks after surgery.

Home remedies:

The following home remedies help in a rapid and smoother recovery following eardrum repair surgery:

1. Keep the ear canal dry and clean.
2. Avoid any water from entering the ear for at least three weeks after surgery. Avoid swimming and wear a shower cap while having a bath.
3. Keep a cotton ball in your ear and change this cotton ball at periodic intervals.
4. Avoid air travel or scuba diving unless your doctor permits the same.
5. Avoid blowing your nose or popping your ears. If you feel like sneezing, do so while keeping your mouth open.

Cost of eardrum repair surgery in India- 

• The cost of eardrum repair surgery in Mumbai is between INR 40,000 to INR 75,000.
• The cost of eardrum repair in Delhi is between INR 35,000 to INR 70,000.
• The cost of eardrum repair surgery in Bangalore is between INR 35,000 to INR 70,000.
• The cost of eardrum repair surgery in Chennai is between INR 30,000 to INR 65,000.