What is Intratympanic Injection?

Intratympanic injection refers to the administration of a medication directly into the middle ear space through the tympanic membrane (eardrum). This method is commonly used in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat medicine) for the treatment of various ear-related conditions. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum, and it contains the three small bones of the ear (ossicles) that transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear.

An intratympanic injection is an in-office awake surgical procedure performed by an ear surgeon.

A long narrow bore needle is passed through the ear canal and through the eardrum to administer medications into the middle ear space where they are absorbed by the inner ear. To many patient’s surprise, this procedure is easily tolerated and painless.

Hearing Loss and Vertigo Treatment

Intratympanic injections are used to treat a variety of ear and inner ear related conditions such as sudden hearing loss, vertigo, and Meniere’s disease. Injections are typically used when other medical therapies fail. Steroids are typically the injected medication but sometimes antibiotics are used.