The History of Otology and What We Can Learn from It: Putting Historical Research in Context

Why study the history of scientific discovery in otology and neurotology? This is an especially important question in our surgical field, where standard mechanisms of medical science such as the randomized controlled trial are not feasible. Here, we discuss the benefits of engaging with the history of science including 1) gaining a fuller understanding of scientific methodology, 2) becoming critically aware of current knowledge and its gaps, 3) aiding diagnostic and therapeutic discovery, and 4) humanizing innovative thinking. Science is a human endeavor, and it is subject to the constraints inherent to humans. Knowledge of history provides a greater perspective of these limitations and can help extend the boundaries of our field.