Key Points Otosclerosis is the most common cause of progressive conductive hearing loss (CHL) in adults. The prevalence of otosclerosis is greater in women, with a 2 : 1 female-to-male distribution. The typical age of onset of noticeable hearing loss is in…
Key Points Impedance matching of sound pressure delivered to the inner ear through the auditory conductive pathway results from the interaction of the catenary, ossicular, and hydraulic lever systems housed in the middle ear. Sound amplification from the middle ear…
Key Points Endoscopy of the middle ear provides improved visualization compared with the microscope and allows surgeons to look around corners to identify and remove middle ear disease. Preoperative computed tomography scans are important to assess the extent of disease…
Key Points Although all major components of the temporal bone are present in infants, the mastoid tip has yet to develop. The stylomastoid foramen is located more superficially, which makes the facial nerve vulnerable to surgical trauma. The temporal line…
Key Points The ultimate goals of tympanoplasty are to restore middle ear function by eradicating infection and middle ear pathology, to reestablish a tympanic membrane (TM) that resists infection and epithelial ingrowth, and to secure a durable connection between the…
Key Points Although declining in incidence, the complications of temporal bone infections continue to carry the potential for extensive morbidity and mortality. The management of infectious intratemporal complications that are suppurative in nature or related to cholesteatoma can be facilitated…
Key Points Otitis media is one of the most common diseases of childhood and may result in complications, including acute and chronic mastoiditis, petrositis, skull base osteomyelitis, intracranial infection, and the sequela of early childhood auditory deprivation. Acute otitis media…
Key Points An understanding of the efficacy and side-effect profile of prescription and nonprescription topical therapies is important for the successful management of the patient with a nonneoplastic condition of the external ear. Debridement under binocular microscopy (or otoendoscopy) in…
Key Points The external ear and ear canal are affected by various bacterial, fungal, and viral infections as well as noninfectious inflammatory conditions. Meticulous debridement of the ear canal is a crucial first step in managing all infections. Most cases…
Key Points Hearing loss, tinnitus, otalgia, otorrhea, and vertigo are symptoms of otologic disease. Queries into each of these symptom categories will assist the clinician in formulating a differential diagnosis. Taking a comprehensive history is critical for establishing a diagnosis…