Rupture or perforation (hole) of the<unk>  can occur in infection, trauma (e.g. by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion or loud noise. Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure and blocked eustachian tubes resulting from the cold. This is especially true on landing.
Perforation of the<unk>  leads to conductive hearing loss.
The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or up to a few months. Some perforations require intervention - this may use a paper patch to promote healing (simple procedure in the office of an ear, nose and throat specialist), or surgery (tympanoplasty).
Hearing is usually recovered fully, but chronic infection over a long period may lead to permanent hearing loss.
Perforated eardrum
Pseudocyst of the auricle
Meatal stenosis
Nasopalatine cyst
Thyroglossal cyst
Cornea verticillata
Tooth impaction
Rothia dentocariosa