What part of the human ear contains the eardrum?
Your eardrum is in your middle ear. It sits at the very end of your ear canal, just in front of your ossicles (the tiny bones that help with hearing).
What happens to your eardrum when sound reaches it?
When sound waves reach your eardrum, it vibrates. This vibration then sends signals to your ossicles (the tiny bones in your middle ear), and then to your inner ear, where your auditory nerve transmits this information to your brain.
What happens if you damage your tympanic membrane?
In many cases, a torn or damaged eardrum heals on its own in a few weeks. But if your symptoms worsen or last more than a few weeks, tell a healthcare provider.
Can my tympanic membrane repair itself?
In many cases, yes. Your eardrum can usually repair itself within a few weeks.
Can you see a person’s eardrum?
You can’t see someone’s eardrum with the naked eye. But your healthcare provider can use an otoscope to look at your eardrum. An otoscope is a lighted handheld instrument that magnifies your ear canal and eardrum.
Can you hear without an eardrum?
Without your eardrum, everything would sound muffled. People with ruptured eardrums usually have some hearing loss until the membrane heals.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Your eardrum (tympanic membrane) is essential for proper hearing function. Ear infections and injuries can damage your eardrum and cause ear pain, tinnitus, drainage and hearing loss. The good news is that your eardrum can heal on its own in many cases — and damage is usually temporary. But if you have worrisome symptoms that linger, let your healthcare provider know so they can help you correct the issue.
