Ossicular-Chain Defects: Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Defects of the ossicular chain as a cause of conductive deafness are apparently more frequent than is generally assumed. These causes are principally traumatic lesions, sequelae of infections and, less frequently, developmental anomalies. Radiography and tests for the stapedius reflex play an important part in the diagnosis.

By ossiculoplastic surgical measures it is possible to obtain considerable hearing gains of a permanent character. Experiments on the sound transmission in the middle ear have shown that in these reconstructions it is possible to obtain sound conduction which is very near to normal.

Aided by a grant from the Danish State Research Foundation.