What is the Difference Between Ear Infection and Ruptured Eardrum?

The main difference between an ear infection and a ruptured eardrum is that an ear infection is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear, while a ruptured eardrum is a hole or tear in the thin tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Ear infection, or otitis media, often results from the accumulation of fluids in the middle ear, which can cause the eardrum to rupture. Ruptured eardrums may lead to symptoms such as ear pain, mucus-like or bloody drainage from the ear, hearing loss, and ringing in the ear.

Some common causes of a ruptured eardrum include:

Middle ear infection
A very loud noise close to the ear, such as a gunshot
Rapid change in ear pressure, which may occur when flying, scuba diving, or driving in the mountains
Foreign objects in the ear
Injury to the ear, such as from a powerful slap or explosion
Inserting cotton-tipped swabs or small objects into the ears to clean them

Ruptured eardrums typically heal on their own, but it takes time for them to heal. If you have a ruptured eardrum that isn’t healing, or if you experience symptoms such as severe dizziness, fever, hearing loss, or extreme pain, it is important to consult a healthcare provider right away.

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What is the Difference Between Ear Infection and Ruptured Eardrum?

Comparative Table: Ear Infection vs Ruptured Eardrum

Here is a table comparing the differences between ear infection and ruptured eardrum:

Feature	Ear Infection	Ruptured Eardrum
Definition	An infection of the middle ear, caused by bacteria or viruses, leading to fluid build-up behind the eardrum	A hole or tear in the eardrum, which can result from infection, trauma, or injury
Symptoms	Earache, discomfort, fluid or pus build-up behind the eardrum, potential hearing loss	Hearing loss, discomfort, cloudy fluid drainage from the ear canal
Causes	Bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear	Rupture due to infection, trauma, injury, or insertion of objects into the ear
Treatment	Antibiotics or other medications for infection, depending on the cause	Keeping the ear dry and avoiding infection, over-the-counter painkillers for pain or discomfort, possible surgical repair in more severe cases
Healing Time	Can vary depending on the severity of the infection and treatment	Usually heals within a few weeks or months, provided the ear is kept dry and no further complications arise

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.