Where Is Eardrum Located?

The eardrum divides the outer ear from the middle ear. The eardrum sits between the end of the external ear canal and the auditory ossicles, which are three tiny bones in the middle ear, called the malleus, incus, and stapes.

Where is the eardrum in the ear?

The auricle (pinna) is the visible portion of the outer ear. It collects sound waves and channels them into the ear canal (external auditory meatus), where the sound is amplified. The sound waves then travel toward a flexible, oval membrane at the end of the ear canal called the eardrum, or tympanic membrane.

Can you touch your eardrum?

So if you tap on the eardrum, you're sending shock waves into the inner ear and you can cause problems with your hearing and balance. What's a worst-case scenario? If you put a Q-tip into your ear you could puncture your eardrum and that may require surgery to fix it.