My son has been diagnosed with severe depression & a hole in his eardrum?

Question

He has now started to get medical & mental help. We found out today that his ear drum has a hole in it. Could this possibly have happened when he has had shouting rages & screams while his face turns beet red? What is done to repair a hole in ones ear drum? He is 23 yrs. old & plays rugby for his university but he doesn't remember getting hit to do this injury.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm an Audiologist, and both my son and I have been treated for depression.

The eardrum can rupture a number of ways - the most common are from acute ear infections or trauma. It is unlikely that it happened during a shouting rage, sometimes it can happen with exertion when holing one's breath, like when bearing down during childbearing (which is why they tell you NOT to hold your breath, but to do the LaMaze breathing), or if you blow your nose too hard. Cotton swab (Q-Tip) accidents are another common source of eardrum punctures. Also, a ruptured eardrum is usually VERY painful. So it is surprising that he doesn't remember it. I know you don't want to consider it as a parent, but perhaps he was not sober at the time.

Honestly, it makes little difference anymore how it happened. The more important question is when? Has anyone speculated on how long ago the rupture occurred? They usually heal themselves unless it's quite large, and then it takes surgery to patch it. Has he had a hearing test to determine the extent to which it effects his hearing? This usually plays a part in deciding a course of treatment.

Answer 2

well maybe that he got so mad that he put an object inside his ear to put a hole in it, im not really sure, i dont think that shouting will do that. but sorry i cant think of anything else

Answer 3

it could have happened either way i think....good luck <3