The eardrum is extremely delicate, and even slight pressure from a cotton swab can potentially perforate it. This can lead to pain, hearing loss, and in some cases, tinnitus. A perforated eardrum ...

Although the risk is very low, stifling a sneeze can cause a ruptured eardrum, rupture of superficial blood vessels to the eye or nose, throat or neck damage. Less commonly, holding in a sneeze ...