You might be asking yourself, "How can I tell if I have pierced ears?" Follow this article with us to learn about the symptoms of ear piercing.
The eardrum, a delicate structure that divides the ear canal from the middle ear and is crucial to hearing, is perforated during ear piercing. What signs or symptoms indicate an ear perforation? The diagnosis is made in what way? Follow this article to find out:
Ear piercing symptoms
In certain cases, ear piercing symptoms may not be felt, but in other situations, a person may experience weird and abnormal sensations in his ear, such as:
- recognising the sound of air leaving the ear
When someone blows their nose, air normally rises to fill the middle ear cavity, causing the eardrum to inflate. However, if there is an ear hole, the air escapes through this hole, and the individual may hear the sound of air exiting the ear.
- Experiencing a sudden, severe ache
The abrupt, acute pain in the ear, which might quickly subside, is one of the most noticeable signs of ear piercing.
- A buzzing sensation in the ear
When an ear is perforated, a person may have tinnitus, which is a ringing sensation in the ear. It's important to note that this symptom eventually goes away when the ear hole heals and is treated.
- ear fluid dripping out
When the ear is pierced, fluids that are clear, red, or in the form of pus may leak from the ear.
- Ear infection
Accidental ear piercing may result in a middle ear infection, which may be followed by a rise in body temperature.
- sudden hearing loss
You might find it impossible to hear noises at all, or you might only hear whisper-thin sounds, as ear piercing can result in a sudden loss of hearing.
- Additional signs of ear piercing
There are more signs that you might experience if you have an ear piercing, such as the following:
- Feeling dizzy .
- Feeling itchy in the ear.
- Feeling of relaxation in the face.
- Nausea and vomiting caused by vertigo.
Complications of ear piercing
We must discuss the problems of ear piercing after discussing its symptoms, as eardrum perforation can lead to a number of difficulties, including the following:
1. Loss of hearing
The eardrum is crucial to the process of hearing since the eardrum's vibration upon encountering sound waves is the first step in translating those waves into the ear, and eardrum rupture may result in hearing loss or impairment.
2. Ear infection
Ear piercing may allow bacteria to enter the middle ear, which could lead to otitis media. The eardrum serves as a protective barrier that keeps water and bacteria out of the inner ear.
Third, a middle ear cyst
Skin remnants develop in the ear canal and are typically pushed by earwax towards the outer ear. However, if there is a hole in the eardrum, these remnants can enter the middle ear and collect over time, forming a cyst, which creates an environment for the growth of bacteria and infections.
Ear piercing diagnosis
If you experience ear piercing symptoms, you should visit a doctor to get a diagnosis and learn the cause of the problem so that the best course of action may be determined.
The following examinations can help a doctor determine if an ear is perforated:
1. Examination with an otoscope
The doctor can look into the ear canal using an otoscope to make sure there is a perforation in the eardrum. The doctor might first remove the wax because it might make it difficult for them to see.
2. Hearing screening test
The doctor resorts to performing a hearing screening exam, which is an accurate and calibrated test that assesses your capacity to hear a set of noises of various pitches and frequencies, as ear piercing may be followed by weakening or loss of hearing.
3. Tympanometry test
A tympanometer, a device inserted into the ear canal that measures changes in the eardrum brought on by variations in air pressure, is used to perform a tympanometry exam. When patterns are recorded on the device, the presence of an earhole is indicated.
4. The tuning fork test
In this test, the doctor uses metal objects that produce sounds when struck. It is a quick and easy way to assess how ear piercing affects hearing. It also enables the doctor to identify whether the auditory nerve, the hole in the ear, or both may be to blame for the patient's hearing loss.