flat ear drum

[louise212]

Hi, my 4yr old has been told he has a flat eardrum. What is this?

[Zoltan45]

Thank you for letting me know i used some tinnitus sound therapy and it helps allot. it seems to go down a little lower each day but im not sure i don't have hearing loss either i can hear fin on both ears.

[Jessica0017]

Eardrum also called tympanic membrane forms a boundary between the outer and middle ears.It is a circle of thin skin about eight to nine millimeters in diameter.It is slightly conical with curved sides sloping inwards.It has three layers:

Outer Layer: In contact with deep ear canal outer layer is covered with a thin layer of skin.

Inner Layer: It is in continuity with the lining of middle ear and consist of flat cells that have the ability to transform into the type of cells that line the nose and sinuses. Infections or certain chemicals alters these cells and produces mucus which flows into the middle ear.

Middle layer: It is very important and consist fo elastic fibres arranged like spokes consisting of hammer bones.Hammer has head and handle where handle lies within layers of eardrum.The head of the hammer sits in the upper part of the middle ear.The muscles at back of middle ear respomds to loud sounds by contracting and stiffening the small chain of bones and reduces transmission of prolonged and potentially damaging loud sounds to the inner ear.

[Zoltan45]

I forgot to mention the specialist said she saw no sign of nerve damage.

[Zoltan45]

Hello my name is Zoltan i am a recent tinnitus sufferer. when my tinnitus first started it was really loud but now its a really quiet hissing noise. i was exposed to loud music but only for a second or so. and i did not notice it until the next day note i only have it in my left ear.when it first started on September 13 that morning i was freaking out. now im not as much because it went down allot like a minor hissing but when i first had it 3 doctors told me they saw no infection only a little congestion 2 of the doctors i saw were only working in a health clinic the other was a health practitioner.but one night i was stressed and scared. my mom and dad told me to relax. but its hard when u cant sleep.My dad is a registered nurse and my mom a practical nurse. they both tell me it will go away but each day i lose faith. but back to that night i was freaking out i went to emergency and the specialist there told me she saw a flattened ear drum with fluid behind it. could that cause tinnitus because she told me it could and im getting worried.

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hello,
A complete evaluation may be necessary for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. A flat eardrum usually means that it is not moving and it indicates an abnormal situation in the middle ear, either fluid or significant negative pressure. Treatment of any condition depends on the cause. It is important to know the exact cause. See an ENT specialist and get checked. This is merely an advice and not a substitute for clinical examination.
Best luck and regards!