MASTOID SURGERY IN THE ONLY HEARING EAR

Every otologic procedure carries the risk of damage to the inner ear. On the other hand, cholesteatoma and uncontrolled tubotympanic disease can lead to partial or total sensorineural loss, as well as intracran ial complications. Our experience of the surgical management of eight patients with an only hearing ear is presented. There were no dead ear s in this series and no significant worsening of inner ear function. T he air conduction pure-tone average was worse in two patients without change in bone conduction. Of the eight patients, six wear a hearing a id with success and two patients manage without an aid. The present sm all series confirms that patients at risk of anacusis from cholesteato ma or chronic suppurative otitis media can be offered, in experienced tertiary referral units, a safe method of stabilizing the ear and pres erving useful hearing.