Myringosclerosis (sclerosis)

A previously healthy 30-year-old female presents to primary care for a routine physical exam. She has no complaints. Examination of her right ear with the Wispr Digital Otoscope reveals this image. The patient has myringosclerosis (sclerosis) of the eardrum.

This is the white area highlighted in this image.

Sclerosis is a localized hardening of the tympanic membrane. It can be caused by a history of acute otitis media (AOM) and it is very commonly associated with a prior history of tympanostomy tube (ear tube) placement. There is generally no consequence to the sclerosis. Hearing is not usually materially compromised. Here is a comparison of a healthy and a sclerosed right ear. At Wispr University you can see a presentation on normal ear anatomy.