A former contestant on the Fox singing competition “American Idol” has filed a suit alleging that his ear was damaged in a backstage incident, TMZ.com reports.

“Michael Simeon claims he was fitted for an earpiece during his 2014 stint on the show and it caused him immediate, excruciating pain. When he pleaded for the audiologist to remove it, Simeon claims she yanked it out of his ear with such ferocity, it took out a portion of his eardrum,” the story reports.

TMZ adds: “To add insult to literal injury, Simeon says he was writhing in pain and all producers did was send him to a room where he sat for 5 agonizing hours.”

Simeon was a contestant on season 14 of the show, which aired in 2015. He made it into the final 24, being eliminated after performing “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.”

“Simeon says he was treated for tympanoplasty and hasn’t performed at nearly the same level ever since,” TMZ notes.

The amount Simeon is seeking was not reported.