Auditory Brainstem Evoked Potentials (ABEP) were recorded from 53 adult subjects suffering from sudden deafness at the time of examination. The onset of sudden deafness was up to three years prior to the study. ABEP were recorded in response to 75 dBHL clicks presented at rates of 10/sec and 40/sec. ABEP peak latencies as well as interpeak latency differences, and also the effect of increasing stimulus rate, were determined for each patient and compared with the clinical symptoms. The psychoacoustic and ABEP detection thresholds were also compared.

A highly significant correlation was observed between ABEP detection threshold and the psychoacoustically determined hearing threshold, and the differences between them were found to be insignificant. The results of this study indicate a central component in sudden deafness. This impairment manifests itself in abnormal effects of increasing stimulus rate on ABEP, and may be related to reduced central synaptic efficacy.

By the use of computerized tomography (CT) the authors have examined and precisely defined the radiological anatomical characteristics of the attic and its relation to other structures of the middle and inner ear. The identification of individual morphological structures has been made on axial, semi-axial and frontal CT sections. Each type of original CT section has been compared with the corresponding original anatomical section.

Malignant External Otitis (MEO) and Acute External Otitis (AEO) are clinically very similar in their beginnings. It is important to differentiate between them very early. Bone scanning is the best diagnostic tool. Eight cases of AEO and MEO are herewith presented.

A discussion of the rationale of management of acute haematoma auris and a description of a simple, reliable method of management using Otoform K Silicone impression material to form ear splints.

Twelve cases of well established palatal myoclonus with objective clicking tinnitus were treated with tinnitus masking techniques. After a few months, three patients became completely symptom free, one for five years now. A further four patients continued to get periods of relief from their clicking sounds with continuous masking, and four patients found the distracting effects of the white noise helped them. The mechanism of palatal myoclonus is discussed with reference to the part played by masking therapy in this condition.

Sporadic case reports and the few published series of expanding lesions of the deep petrous temporal bone propose a variety of surgical approaches to ensure excision. All such surgery represents a compromise between exposure adequate for total removal and avoidance of further neurological deficit. Unfortunately pathology in the petrous apex evolves relatively silently and diagnosis is delayed. In many cases total excision is impossible. We present a series of patients presenting with advanced tumours of the deep petrous temporal bone in order to illustrate the spectrum of disease encountered, the limited role of surgery and the natural history of irresectable pathology in this remote and inaccessible area.

Tympanometry and otoscopy were performed by the authors on 893 schoolchildren in Kuwait during early 1983. Based on tympanometry 31.3 per cent were found to have tympanograms indicating secretory otitis media. The otoscopic findings confirmed this high prevalence (30.0 per cent). At re-examination three months later, the point prevalence had decreased by almost 5 per cent which is well in accordance with the seasonal variation of this disease.

A group of 67 children were studied (mean age 7 years, 2 months) who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy because of either recurrent otitis media or upper respiratory tract infection. The mean pre-operative intratympanic pressure was –67.3 mmH20 (SD 65.1); three months post-operatively it was –21.9 mmH20 (SD 32.4), a highly significant improvement (p<0.001). The size of the adenoids had a nearly significant effect on the pre-operative intratympanic pressure (p<0.05). In children with large vs small adenoids the difference was highly significant (p<0.001). In a group of five children, tonsillectomy along (adenoidectomy performed earlier) did not have any effect on the intratympanic pressure. No change in intratympanic pressure was seen in children with nasal allergy as compared with non-allergic children after adenoidectomy.

Twenty-eight human tympanic membranes (TM) are presented. In almost all of them the horizontal axis is longer than the vertical. This is contrary to the accepted view, which describes the tympanic membrane as being longer in its Vertical dimension.