How is ear bleeding treated?
Treatment for a bleeding ear depends on the underlying cause. Your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Antibiotics.
- Ear tubes (tympanostomy).
- Tympanoplasty.
- Object removal.
If your healthcare provider suspects ear cancer, they’ll refer you to an oncologist for further testing and treatment. Common ear cancer treatments include surgery and radiation therapy.
Antibiotics
If you have ear bleeding due to an infection, then your healthcare provider may prescribe oral antibiotics or antibiotic ear drops. It’s important to take all medication exactly as directed.
Ear tubes
If you get ear infections often, your provider may recommend ear tubes. During this procedure, a surgeon will place tiny, hollow tubes into your eardrum. These tubes allow air into your middle ear so that any fluid trapped behind your eardrum can drain out.
Tympanoplasty
Sometimes recurrent (repeat) ear infections can cause your eardrum to rupture (tear). Ruptured eardrum symptoms include hearing loss and ear bleeding.
In many cases, a ruptured eardrum heals on its own. But if it doesn’t, you may need tympanoplasty. During this procedure, a surgeon repairs any holes or tears in your eardrum.
Object removal
Ear bleeding can also result from having a strange object stuck in your ear. If this happens, your healthcare provider will need to remove it right away. Most of the time, providers can remove these objects during an office visit. But in severe cases, you may need a referral to an otolaryngologist (ENT).
What are the possible complications or risks of not treating ear bleeding?
Specific complications depend on the condition that’s causing ear bleeding. Notable risks of untreated ear bleeding include:
- Ear infections.
- Tinnitus (ringing in your ears).
- Mastoiditis (an infection of your mastoid bone, located behind your ear).
- Hearing loss (temporary or permanent).
- Headaches.
- Vertigo.
- Balance issues.
- Dislocation of your ossicles (three tiny bones in your middle ear).
- Brain damage.
If you have bleeding ears following trauma — such as a car accident or sports injury — call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.
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Can I prevent ear bleeding?
It’s not always possible to prevent bleeding from your ears because it often occurs following unforeseen events (like a car accident).
However, there are ways to reduce your risk of health conditions related to ear bleeding.
To reduce your risk of ear infections:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid tobacco smoke.
- Get age-appropriate vaccinations. (Vaccines help prevent viral and bacterial infections.)
To reduce your risk of a ruptured eardrum:
- Treat ear infections promptly.
- Wear ear protection when exposed to loud noises.
- Wear airplane earplugs when you fly to reduce pressure buildup.
- Don’t stick cotton swabs, hairpins or other objects into your ear canal.
What can I do at home to ease my symptoms?
A healthcare provider can recommend appropriate treatment for bleeding ears. But there are things you can do at home to ease your discomfort during recovery:
- Place a warm washcloth over your ear.
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Wear earplugs to keep water and debris out while your ears heal.
