Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain ear ache can occur due to a number of causes like ear infection, foreign body impaction in ear, perforated eardrum [that can be due to trauma or secondary to infection], jaw joint problems etc.. As your mother has holes or perforations in eardrum, there is a possibility that she might have chronic ear infection leading to perforation.. In case if the hole is small then t can be treated with a course of antibiotics, anti inflammatory painkillers and antibiotic and analgesic eardrops along with decongestant nasal sprays.. But if there is a large perforation then surgical correction via Tympanoplasty is advisable.. So first of all consult an Otolaryngologist or an ENT expert and get her evaluated and x ray, MRI scan or Audiometry can be diagnostic.. Treatment will be advised accordingly... As of ow for pain relieve she can put Otogesic ear drops and take anti inflammatory painkiller like Ibuprofen.. She can also avoid exposure to loud sounds and over exposure to water.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora