paper patch for perforation

I am a 62 year disabled veteran. I am treated at the local VA and have been treated for several months for a chronic otitis media.  My discharge has stopped and most of my hearing acuity has returned, but I am now told that I have a 1-2 mm perforation in my tympanic membrane which will probably require a tympanoplasty.

I am reluctant to submit to surgey except as a last resort, and have heard about a paper patch. Is this a feasible alternative to try? Are there any other alternatives to surgery. My hearing is OK with me now and I am mostly interested in avoiding future infections in the ear.

Thank you

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

I believe the paper patch is still consider a surgical procedure