[Indications for tympanotomy in "sudden deafness" and round window membrane rupture (author's transl)]

An operative exploration of the middle ear should be undertaken when deafness ins complete, when vestibular signs are present and when the patient asks for immediate medical care. The closure of the round window with soft tissue or fascia graft should be done within an few days after the event of "sudden deafness". We do not use an infusion therapy or blockade of ganglion stellatum in these cases and those of head trauma, because we saw no hearing gain after later operative intervention.