perforated eardrum

A ruptured eardrum, also known as a perforated tympanic membrane, is a hole or tear in the eardrum. The eardrum is a thin piece of tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. Symptoms of a perforated eardrum include drainage from the ear, ear noise or buzzing, earache or discomfort, and hearing loss in the involved ear. Hearing loss can be partial or complete.