Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to repair a perforated eardrum (tympanic membrane). The eardrum is a thin layer of tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, and these vibrations are transmitted to the tiny bones in the middle ear, which then send signals to the brain that are interpreted as sound. A perforated eardrum can be caused by a number of things, including middle ear infection, ear injury, or pressure changes. A hole in the eardrum can lead to hearing loss, drainage from the ear, and an increased risk of infection.