What's the difference between an ear infection and a ruptured eardrum?

Can be related: An ear infection is when there is a infection either behind the ear drum or in the ear canal. An acute ruptured eardrum is typically due to an ear infection that is not treated in time and the pressure from the infection causes the ear drum to make a small opening. A ruptured ear drum from infection can close on his own. Other causes such as trauma can also cause an ear drum perforation.