It is possible to fly with a perforated eardrum. A perforated eardrum is what is known clinically as a tympanic membrane perforation, which may be traumatic or may be caused by purulent otitis media. The effect of airplane travel on the middle ear cavity is what is clinically known as pneumatic eustachian tube dysfunction. In particular, during the descent of an airplane, the eustachian tube cannot be effectively opened for adjusting the balance of air pressure inside and outside the tympanic chamber, which leads to negative pressure in the tympanic chamber and causes aviation otitis media. If there is a perforation of the eardrum, no matter which condition or cause it is caused by, the middle ear tympanic cavity is already in direct contact with the atmosphere and always maintains a balance of internal and external pressure, instead of developing aviation otitis media. Therefore, it is possible to fly with a perforated eardrum.