Rupture of the tympanic membrane following assault: a retrospective study of victims of violence who presented to the private sector.

The tympanic membrane can rupture due to many causes (Table 1). The most common cause of rupture is assault over the ear squarely with the hand. This occurs frequently as a sequel to domestic violence. No study has been done to evaluate the nature or extent of the problem in this country. The purpose of this study was to assess the population characteristics of the victims of assault, their assailants and nature of the victims' otological manifestations.