WHITE PATCH ON THE EAR DRUM.... WHAT IS IT ?

Some patients will have a white or chalky patch on their tympanic membrane or ear drum. It is known as TYMPANOSCLEROSIS  if middle ear and mastoids are involved , and MYRINGOSCLEROSIS if only ear drum is involved. 

WHAT IS IT   ? 

Anywhere in our body when there is an injury or inflammation, it heals by repair. When  there is an ear infection,  which could be after a bout of upper respiratory infection, where fluid gets collected in the  middle ear or inflammation of the ear drum, it happens. Certain enzymes in the middle ear fluid causes damage to the middle layer of the ear drum and there will be deposits of hyaline which is seen as white patch. Sometimes it is seen after introducing ventilation tubes through the tympanic membrane in order to drain middle ear fluid. 

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS  THAT CAN  OCCUR? 

If only the tympanic membrane (TM) is involved it doesn't cause any symptoms and it is nonprogressive , but when it occurs on the ear ossicles( three small bones behind the  TM)  it causes hearing problems as it is impairs the mechanism of  conduction  of sound waves. There will be involvement of the mastoid also ( bone behind the ear). 

WHEN  THERE IS A WHITE PATCH ON YOUR EAR DRUM, AND HEARING IS NORMAL NO NEED TO WORRY. NEED INVESTIGATION ONLY IF YOUR HEARING IS AFFECTED. 

PHOTO published with patient's consent