The surgery of congenital deafness

This paper outlines the indications for surgery of congenital deafness in complete meatal aplasia, the methods of audiological and radiological assessment and an operative technique used in ten ears. It is felt that otologic surgery should be done before the pinna reconstruction as it is very important to try and introduce sound into these children at an early age. In addition, the position of the new auricle can be made more satisfactorily around an already established meatus. The value of tomography of the internal as well as the middle ear is stressed and the necessity for providing a stable and uninfected meatus emphasized with regard to the possible fitting of a hearing aid.