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Why is the tympanic membrane sensitive to pain?

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Cross-section diagram of the human ear showing the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, with labeled parts including the auricle, auditory canal, tympanic membrane, ossicles, cochlea, semicircular canals, and nerves. — human ear Structure of the human ear.

The tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is highly sensitive to pain because it is well supplied with sensory nerve fibres.12

This thin, semitransparent structure consists of three distinct layers: an outer layer of skin, an inner layer of mucous membrane, and a middle layer of fibrous tissue that provides necessary stiffness and tension. In addition to its rich innervation, the membrane contains numerous blood vessels, which contribute to its physiological responsiveness. Because of this sensitivity, conditions such as otitis media—an inflammation of the middle ear—can cause significant discomfort when pressure builds behind the membrane.12