As an otolaryngologist with more than 20 years of practice experience, I have come into contact with thousands of patients with cholesteatoma otitis media. During my conversations, I have found that many patients have a lot of misconceptions, and many patients have unsatisfactory results or even postoperative complications due to untimely treatment or inappropriate treatment methods. 1. “I just have otitis media in general, not cholesteatoma otitis media.” The “general otitis media” referred to by such patients is simple chronic suppurative otitis media, which does not cause serious complications. The diagnosis of the type of otitis media should be made by an experienced otologist and should be based on medical history, ear specialist examination and CT examination of the mastoid process. Many patients have delayed diagnosis and treatment because they did not have a CT examination in time. 2. “Cholesteatoma type otitis media is also a serious tumor.” Those who think this way are afraid in their hearts, worrying that the cure is not good, plus insufficient funds for treatment, and are unwilling to go to the hospital. 3. “There is no need to treat cholesteatoma type otitis media in a hurry.” In fact, as doctors, we often describe cholesteatoma in the middle ear as a “time bomb” in the body, which can explode at any time and lead to serious complications, including septic meningitis and brain abscess, if it is not treated in time to remove the bomb. Therefore, once a diagnosis of cholesteatoma otitis media is made, it must be treated as soon as possible. 4. “Cholesteatoma-type otitis media can be cured with medication.” There is a lack of effective medication to treat this disease, and once diagnosed, it should be treated with surgery in a timely manner. 5. “Any ENT surgeon in a major hospital can do a good job with cholesteatoma otitis media surgery.” There are few patients who have this perception. In fact, to perform this type of surgery well, the technical level of the doctor and the condition of the equipment are very high. The technical level of doctors should not only be guided by famous teachers and formal professional training, but also have long-term experience; in terms of equipment, there should be supporting otologic operating microscopes, otologic electric drills (power systems) and special instruments for ear microsurgery, etc. Therefore, hospitals and doctors should be carefully selected.