The vibrations of the cat eardrum are being modelled using the finite‐element method. The three‐dimensional, linear, low‐frequency model previously reported [W. R. J. Funnell, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.63,1461–1467 (1978)] has been further developed by the addition of inertial terms. The first several natural frequencies have been calculated as functions of various parameters of the model, including drum curvature and ossicular load. The ossicular moment of inertia strongly affects the lowest natural frequency, but has little effect on the higher ones. The three‐dimensional curvature of the eardrum affects the higher modes most strongly. The importance of quantitative eardrum shape measurements [W. R. J. Funnell, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.65,S9 (1979)] is discussed. [Work supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada.]