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H73.1 Tympanic Membrane Perforation – Causes & Treatment

H73.1 is the ICD-10 code for a tympanic membrane perforation – a hole or tear in the eardrum caused by infection, injury, or pressure changes.

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Things worth knowing about "H73.1"

H73.1 is the ICD-10 code for a tympanic membrane perforation – a hole or tear in the eardrum caused by infection, injury, or pressure changes.

What is H73.1? – Tympanic Membrane Perforation

The ICD-10 code H73.1 refers to a perforation of the tympanic membrane, commonly known as a perforated eardrum. The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear canal from the middle ear. It plays a vital role in transmitting sound vibrations to the tiny bones of the middle ear (ossicles). A perforation is a hole or tear in this membrane.

Causes

Tympanic membrane perforations can occur due to a variety of causes:

Otitis media (middle ear infection): One of the most common causes, where pressure from pus or fluid buildup causes the eardrum to rupture.
Barotrauma: Rapid pressure changes during activities such as diving, flying, or exposure to an explosion.
Mechanical injury: Insertion of foreign objects into the ear canal (e.g., cotton swabs, hairpins).
Acoustic trauma: Exposure to very loud sounds or a sudden blast can tear the eardrum.
Chronic inflammation: Persistent middle ear infections may lead to permanent defects in the membrane.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of a perforated eardrum include:

Sudden, sharp ear pain, which often subsides quickly
Hearing loss or muffled hearing in the affected ear
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
Ear discharge (clear, bloody, or purulent)
Occasional dizziness or vertigo if the inner ear is involved

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist using:

Otoscopy: Direct visual examination of the eardrum using an otoscope.
Audiometry: A hearing test to assess the degree of hearing loss.
Tympanometry: A test measuring the movement of the eardrum and middle ear pressure.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the size of the perforation and the underlying cause:

Spontaneous healing: Small perforations often heal on their own within a few weeks, provided the ear is kept dry.
Antibiotics: Antibiotic ear drops or systemic antibiotics are prescribed when infection is present.
Myringoplasty / Tympanoplasty: Surgical repair of the eardrum for larger or non-healing perforations, often using the patient's own tissue (e.g., fascia).
Ear protection: Avoiding water entry into the ear (no swimming or diving) until healing is complete.

Prognosis

The prognosis for a tympanic membrane perforation is generally favorable. Small tears often heal spontaneously without intervention. Larger defects or those associated with chronic infection may require surgery. Following successful treatment, hearing typically returns to near-normal levels in the majority of cases.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), Chapter VIII – Diseases of the ear and mastoid process. Geneva: WHO.
Lalwani, A. K.: Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition, 2012.
Browning, G. G., Merchant, S. N., Kelly, G. et al.: Chronic otitis media. In: Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Hodder Arnold, 2008.

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