Foreign body granulomas of the ear are seldom looked for, but probably common occurrences. They may be due to exogenous or endogenous material which became implanted in the course of trauma or treatment in the external or middle ear. They provoke inflammation which may be subclinical, clinical, or masked by concurrent infection. They can aggravate chronic infection, initiate acute local inflammation, or jeopardize surgical success. Histologically, the foreign material is seen lying freely or partially encapsulated within chronic inflammatory tissue, in close proximity to foreign body giant cells. Medical treatment can only succeed when the offending agent is surgically removed.