Tympanic membrane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eardrum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Anatomy of the human ear. | |
 |
|
| Right tympanic membrane as seen through a speculum. | |
| Latin | membrana tympani |
The eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, is a very thin piece of skin inside your ear. It acts like a drum, vibrating when sound waves hit it. This vibration helps you hear by sending the sound deeper into your ear.
Contents
What is the Eardrum?
The eardrum is a crucial part of your ear. It's like a natural barrier that separates your outer ear from your middle ear. This thin membrane is about 8 to 10 millimeters wide. It is shaped like a cone, pointing inwards towards your head.
How Does the Eardrum Work?
The main job of your eardrum is to help you hear. When sound waves travel through the air and enter your ear canal, they hit the eardrum. This makes the eardrum vibrate, just like the skin of a drum vibrates when you hit it.
These vibrations are then passed on to three tiny bones in your middle ear. These bones are called the ossicles. The first bone, the malleus (or hammer), is directly attached to the eardrum. It picks up the vibrations and passes them to the next bones, which then send the sound signals to your brain. This whole process happens incredibly fast, allowing you to hear all sorts of sounds, from a whisper to loud music.
Protecting Your Eardrum
Your eardrum is delicate and can be damaged. Here are some ways it can get hurt:
- Loud Noises: Very loud sounds, like explosions or loud music, can cause damage.
- Ear Infections: Infections in the middle ear can cause fluid to build up. This pressure can sometimes make the eardrum bulge or even burst.
- Objects in the Ear: Sticking cotton swabs or other objects into your ear can accidentally puncture the eardrum.
- Pressure Changes: Sudden changes in air pressure, like during a plane takeoff or scuba diving, can also affect it.
What Happens if the Eardrum is Damaged?
If your eardrum gets a hole in it, it's called a perforated eardrum. This can cause:
- Ear pain.
- Fluid draining from your ear.
- Hearing loss.
- A ringing sound in your ear.
Most of the time, a small hole in the eardrum heals on its own within a few weeks or months. However, sometimes a doctor might need to help it heal or even perform surgery. It is always important to see a doctor if you think your eardrum might be damaged.
Images for kids
-
The eardrum (tympanic membrane) is located between the outer and middle ear.
-
A close-up view of a healthy eardrum.
