A damaged eardrum, usually referred to as a perforated tympanic membrane, like all other tissues, has the ability to repair itself, depending on the size of the perforation and the cause of the perforation. If the perforation is too large, more than 3/4 of the tympanic membrane, the repair may be small; if it is small, such as a fissure-like perforation, it can easily grow back. The cause of the perforation is also important. In traumatic perforations, there is rarely inflammation or infection; such perforations are more capable of self-repair and most are able to repair themselves, except in the case of very large perforations or secondary infections. If the tympanic membrane is perforated due to chronic otitis media, the possibility of repair is much smaller than in traumatic cases, but it is possible that it will grow back, if the inflammation is well controlled, it may also grow back, but if there is long-term pus flow, it is much less likely to grow back. If the tympanic membrane perforation cannot be repaired for more than 3 months in case of poor growth, it may need to be repaired surgically.