Is this a perforated eardrum? (Close up pic alert)

[MindatWork]

I’ve had intermittent issues with my right ear as long as I can remember - I feel like I can’t hear quite as well, it often feels blocked or like it needs to ‘pop’, weird crackly noises and various other symptoms.

It’s never caused any real issues so I’ve avoided getting it properly looked at over the years; various gps have checked both ears during routine appts but never remarked in anything untoward.

On a whim I bought a micro camera for cleaning earwax from Amazon, expecting to find a load of wax build up. I checked my right ear and found that my ear drum looks like this, which according to Google is quite badly perforated . My left eardrum is solid but has a tiny hole on one side.

Anyone ever had anything similar? I’m going to make a doctor appt but not sure they’ll be able to do anything.

Hmm it looks thinned out but not quite torn?

Yes, it’s like the top thin layer of membrane has torn slightly but it’s nowhere near as bad as some pictures I’ve seen online. It moves in and out when i breathe (really freaky to watch on the camera!) which my other eardrum doesn’t, so I’m assuming there is something ‘wrong’ as it were. Will see what the go says although I’m hoping they’ll refer me to ent

I hope you get some answers, it's really disconcerting when you discover something like this. Very nifty little machine you have though, I'd no idea they existed! All the best, op. Hopefully you get some answers and fingers crossed it's nothing too worrisome. Be sure to update when you know 😊

Mine looks similar and I have trouble with hearing too. I’ve burst my ear drum many times when I was younger so mayb that’s something to think about.

Thank you @PaddleBoardingMomma - the camera is amazing, this is the one I got but there are loads of others: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0999FQLRT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_VBZ196NFPM8Z6Y9DFB7F?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I checked DH’s last night and he has massive solid plugs of wax in each ear (not jealous!) - probably caused by excessive airpod use so I’ve booked him in at Specsavers for microsuction .