A perforated ear drum indicates a hole or a tear in the ear drum. This may be due to trauma to the ear or middle ear infection (otitis media or chronic otitis media). It may cause a conductive hearing loss, and if infected, the ear may discharge. If it is due to trauma, it often heals on its own. Sometimes a simple out patient procedure like a silicone patch may help to promote healing. If not, a surgical procedure such as a myringolplasty or tympanoplasty may be considered to repair the defect.