Ruptured eardrum (perforated eardrum)

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How your ear works

Illustration showing inner ear, middle ear and outer ear

Sound waves pass through your outer ear canal and cause your eardrum to vibrate. The eardrum transmits the vibrations to three small bones — the hammer, anvil and stirrup — which amplify the vibrations. These vibrations create waves in the fluids of the cochlea, where sensors translate the motion into impulses sent to the brain.
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