Surgery in Profound Hearing Loss

Abstract

Results are reported in 7 adult cases with profound deafness. Six of them were found on tympanotomy to have otosclerosis and improved after stapedectomy. Tympanotomy was also made on 37 Deaf School pupils who had a similar pattern of hearing, i.e. a severe air conduction loss but some response by bone conduction. Fifty-one per cent of the latter improved by an average of 10 dB or more when tested one month postoperatively. One year later, only 15 per cent retained their improvement. It is concluded that all profoundly deaf adult cases responding to some bone conducted sounds should be explored; of children, however, only those with bone conduction hearing up to 2000 cps are suitable candidates for tympanotomy.