Ear Treatments

Myringotomy

A myringotomy is a surgery performed on your tympanic membrane (eardrum). A tiny incision is created in your eardrum to allow fluid to drain from your middle ear. Myringotomy is most often recommended to treat otitis media with effusion (fluid in the ear). On average, myringotomy recovery takes about four weeks.

What is Myringotomy?

A myringotomy is a surgery performed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to drain fluid from your middle ear. A myringotomy may be completed on one ear or both (bilateral myringotomy).

When is a myringotomy necessary?

A myringotomy may be necessary for children and adults with:

• Frequent ear infections (acute otitis media).
• Ear bleeding due to trauma, severe infection or a ruptured eardrum.
• Balance problems.
• Hearing loss or muffled hearing.
• Speech delays (in children).
• Ear barotrauma (a painful feeling in your ears due to air pressure changes).