How Much Does Perforated Eardrum Surgery Cost?
A perforated eardrum, also known as a ruptured ear drum, can be caused due to a variety of scenarios.
With children, it is most often caused by an ear infection that causes too much pressure inside the ear drum. With adults, it can be caused by a loud noise right next to the ear, a sudden change in ear pressure and/or an injury to the ear.
While a hole in the eardrum can heal on its own in some cases, there are instances when surgery is needed in order to close the hole to prevent it from becoming infected.
A tympanoplasty is a surgical method used to repair perforations in the eardrum and the middle ear bones (ossicles), which are composed of the incus, malleus, and stapes.
How much does perforated eardrum surgery cost?
Known as a Tympanoplasty, the average perforated eardrum surgery can cost anywhere from as little as $2,000 to as much as $15,000+ without health insurance. The costs will depend on your geographical location, the type of procedure, how anesthesia will be billed, the facility you use, doctor and inclusions in the bill.
David Steward, MD, on NetWellness.org, said he would charge $2,000 for a simple tympanoplasty with a same day discharge, but the hospital would charge $8,000 for the same procedure.
For those who have an insurance policy, your surgery should be covered as long as it’s deemed medically necessary. If this were the case, then you will only be responsible for your co-pays and meeting your deductibles. Those who are looking for a new policy or simply want to switch, consider browsing through hundreds for free at websites like eHealthInsurance.com.
Perforated eardrum surgery overview
A tympanoplasty will be performed if the hole inside your eardrum is large or if you’re experiencing chronic ear infections that can’t be cured with antibiotics. During the procedure, while under general anesthesia, the surgeon will use a laser to remove any excess tissue or scar tissue that may have built up inside the middle of your ear. Then, a smaller piece of your own healthy tissue will be taken from a vein and will then be grafted onto your eardrum in order to close the hole. The surgeon, from there, may either go through your ear canal to repair the eardrum or will create a smaller incision behind your ear to in order to access your eardrum.
The surgery can take up to three hours, and patients are allowed to go home immediately after being performed.
After the surgery has been performed, your ear will be stuffed with cotton packing, with a bandage over top, which will have to remain there for up to seven days.
What are the extra costs?
Before the surgery is even considered, a hearing test will be done to surgery can help.
Tips to know:
Risks and complications from the surgery are rare, but you may experience damage to your facial nerves or to the bones of your middle ear; dizziness; incomplete healing; or moderate hearing loss. More than 90 percent of those who have had this surgery recover with no complications.
How can I save money?
A freestanding surgical center will always be cheaper than a local hospital. If at all possible, always try to make an appointment outside of the hospital to save up to 40 percent.
As with any medical procedure, always talk with your health insurance company to make sure you are working with a facility/doctor that accepts your insurance
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