To the Editor.—In the article that appeared in the December issue of theArchives, by Lindeman et al,1they concluded that acute traumatic tympanic membrane perforations do not need to be treated routinely with paper patching. I am convinced that their observation regarding the healing rate, whether or not a paper patch was used, is valid. However, the majority of the patients that I see with acute traumatic tympanic membrane perforations are symptomatic, and their prime complaints are decreased hearing, tinnitus, and otalgia. The vast majority of the patients that I patch obtain almost immediate relief of symptoms. Although I admit that I had the feeling that they healed quicker and more frequently with the paper patch, I also was seeking to achieve relief of their symptoms through the paper patching. I would suggest that this is a very valid reason for patching most traumatic perforations of