The possibility of a noise-induced hearing loss occurring as a result of a high level of sucker-tip noise in myringtomy for seromucinous otitis media is discussed, A group of twenty-four ears is investigated and the noise levels generated by the suction tube are mearsured at operation by means of a probe microphone lowered into the external auditory meatus The conclusions reached are that, although the sound levels attained are at times quite high, they are not of suffcient amplitude, nor are they present for a suffcient length of time, to produce a sencori-neural hearing loss.

In closing an uncomplicated central drum defect the technique known as an ‘underlay’is widely used. This method has certain advantages and yields good results as far as both healing and hearing are concerned. In an attempt further to improve reults the authors give an account of a series of myringoplasties and specifically discuss the unsuccessful cases. By a slight alteration in the operative technique used in the series presented, the authors believe that some failures can be avoided.