Objective To report a simple and reliable method for establishing an animal model of external audito-ry canal cholesteatoma.Method Mongolian gerbils(n=10)and C57BL/6 mice(n=10)(total 40 ears)were selected.The external auditory canal was ligated and the formation of cholesteatoma was visually evaluated and by histopatholo-gy and micro-CT scanning at 6,8,10,12 and 16 weeks postoperatively.Results Following ligation of the external ear canal,cholesteatoma formed at about 3 months and expanded from the external ear canal to the middle ear at roughly 4 months,evidenced by histopathology and imaging at relatively early stages.Conclusion Animal models of external au-ditory canal cholesteatoma can be achieved by ligation of the external auditory canal,which is simple and easy with a high rate of success,and worthy of adoption in research.