Do you have a hole in your eardrum? Are you experiencing constantly recurring ear infections, pain when water enters, hearing loss, or even dizziness? These symptoms may indicate that the integrity of your eardrum (tympanic membrane) has been compromised. At our clinic in Istanbul, Eardrum Surgery (Tympanoplasty) offered with experienced ENT specialists and state-of-the-art microsurgical equipment both restores your hearing comfort and fundamentally eliminates your infection risk.

What is Eardrum Surgery?

Eardrum surgery, also called Tympanoplasty, covers the repair of areas where the membrane has torn, perforated, or developed structural damage toward the middle ear. Our goals:

  • Hole/Tear Repair: To close the perforation in the tympanic membrane
  • Hearing Restoration: To correct membrane vibration and restore the ossicular chain (chain bones)
  • Infection Prevention: To create a solid barrier that will protect the middle ear cavity from microbes

During surgery, the hole is usually closed using skin or cartilage graft from behind the ear; the repair meticulously applied under microscope both reduces infection risk and provides hearing improvement.

Why Choose Tympanoplasty?

  • Strong Hearing: Hearing loss due to perforated membrane improves by 70-90%.
  • Reduced Infection: Frequent middle ear infections (otitis media) become history.
  • Comfort with Water Contact: You won’t experience ear pain during swimming, showering, or water sports.
  • Long-lasting Solution: Repair becomes permanent with graft integration; recurrence risk is below 5%.
  • Aesthetic Scar: With the behind-ear approach, there’s a thin scar invisible from outside.
  • Quick Recovery: Most patients return to social and work life smoothly within 1-2 weeks.

Who Are Candidates?

  • Those with Recurring Middle Ear Infections
  • Those with Hearing Loss Due to Perforated Eardrum on Hearing Tests
  • Those Experiencing Ear Pain During Swimming and Water Contact
  • Patients with Tympanic Membrane Defects from Minor Burns, Trauma, or Post-Surgery
  • People with Membrane Damage from Radiotherapy or Chronic Disease Effects

Note: Patients in good general health, without bleeding disorders, and with treated active ear infections are ideal candidates.

Pre-Surgery Preparation Process

1. Free Consultation & Audiological Evaluation

Your hearing threshold is measured with pure tone audiogram and tympanometry.

2. Imaging & Endoscopy

Middle ear and mastoid cell condition is examined with high-resolution CT or ear endoscopy.

3. Medical Examination

Blood count, coagulation tests, anesthesia approval; smoking regulation if applicable.

4. Surgery Plan & Information

Graft source (behind-ear skin/cartilage) and approach are determined, risks and recovery steps are explained.

5. Appointment Confirmation & Preparation Instructions

6-8 hour fasting on surgery day, keeping ear area clean, and comfortable clothing recommendations.

How is Tympanoplasty Surgery Performed?

  • Anesthesia: Patient comfort with local + sedation or short general anesthesia.
  • Access: Behind-ear or intracanal micro incision; entry from points that don’t disturb outer ear appearance.
  • Graft Preparation: Behind-ear skin or cartilage piece is taken and shaped appropriately.
  • Perforation Repair: Hole edges are cleaned and graft is placed under/over.
  • Ossicular Chain Examination: Chain bones are repaired or realigned if necessary.
  • Suturing and Dressing: Closure with fine-tipped dissolving sutures, spongostan tampon in ear canal.
  • Operation Duration: 60-90 minutes; followed by 1-2 hours observation.

The Importance of Doctor Selection

Tympanoplasty requires microscopic precision and a specialist who knows middle ear anatomy well:

  • ENT Specialist (Otolaryngologist): Tympanoplasty certified, intensive microsurgery practice
  • Endoscopic Competence: Meticulous graft placement with ear micro-endoscope
  • Anesthesia Team: Specialists experienced in sedation and short general anesthesia
  • Empathetic Communication: Team that explains the process step by step and takes time for your questions
  • Sterile Clinical Standards: Single-use equipment, hygiene protocols, and comfortable service

Surgery Day: What to Expect?

  • Preparation & Anesthesia Briefing: Vital measurements, sedation or general anesthesia plan.
  • Tympanoplasty Procedure: Membrane repair under microscope for 60-90 minutes.
  • Recovery & Observation: 1-2 hours monitoring; ear canal tampon check.
  • Hospitalization: 1 night hospital follow-up; next day dressing and tampon removal.
  • Home Return Instructions: Head-up sleeping position, mild painkillers, shower and ear care guide.

Recovery Process

  • 1-3 Days: Mild ear fullness, minimal pain; prescribed painkiller is sufficient.
  • 5-7 Days: Tampon in ear canal is removed; hearing improves rapidly.
  • 2 Weeks: Sutures dissolve and fall out; outer ear appearance returns to normal.
  • 4-6 Weeks: Graft is completely integrated, middle ear infection risk disappears.
  • 3 Months: Your final threshold is checked with complete hearing test.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will there be surgical scars?

There may be a thin line with behind-ear approach; it fades over time and is usually invisible.

2. Will my hearing completely recover?

Depends on hole size; in most patients hearing returns to normal by 70-90%.

3. When can I return to water sports?

After 4-6 weeks, you can safely swim or dive with ear adapters.

4. Will ear ringing decrease?

If there’s tinnitus due to perforation, it largely decreases after membrane repair.

5. Will the hole form again?

Graft integration is high (over 90%); revision is very rarely needed.