Most earlobe damage happens gradually due to heavy or large earrings. It tends to occur more frequently among people who intentionally gauge their earlobes to accommodate plugs and tunnels.
If you have suffered gradual earlobe damage, you may find that your concerns are getting worse over time. That is because factors such as age and gravity are working against you.
In some cases, torn or damaged earlobes are the result of  trauma. Accidents can easily cause splits and other injuries to the earlobe. If an earring gets caught on something, pulled, or tugged, it may result in a tear that can likely be fixed with surgery.