 [ Symptoms ] what are symtoms on a male from a bacterial infection [ Disease ] do not be alarmed eardrums often spontaneously rupture and cause a little bleeding so this is the most likely reason for the dried blood this is really nature is way of dealing with an infection andor increased middle ear pressure the eardrum quickly heals in the vast majority of cases and most middle ear infections resolve spontaneously it is rare for ruptured eardrum to result in any long term problems like deafness i suspect there is more to the story with the grandparents than just a ruptured eardrum the grandparents lived in a time where there were few if any antibiotics and medical care may have been sparse since you are concerned it would be best to have your son examined by his medical provider