Polina has been experiencing ear drainage for several days and is having hearing problems but does not have any pain. She is scheduled to see her doctor later today.What will her doctor most likely determine is the cause of her symptoms?

Ear drainage together with reduced hearing and little or no pain can occur when the eardrum has ruptured, allowing fluid to drain from the middle ear. An ear infection may cause these symptoms too, but the combination described most strongly points to a ruptured eardrum. Her doctor can confirm the cause by examining her ear.

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