Audiometry in Ossicular Reconstruction.

While the motivation to pursue middle ear surgery is frequently related to establishing a safe, dry ear due to the presence of chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma, a highly prioritized secondary outcome is improvement in hearing. Compounding the task of precise recapitulation of middle ear mechanics is the accurate measurement of hearing changes before and after surgery. Here, we will review the basics of the audiometric assessment of ossicular chain function, summarize clinical audiometric outcomes associated with ossiculoplasty, and discuss the limitations of both the surgical technique and our ability to quantify ideal hearing outcomes.