Recent advances in the treatment of deafness.

By the utilization of reconstructive procedures (tympanoplasty), middle ear and mastoid infections can be eliminated with the acquisition of a clean, dry ear in about nine out of 10 cases, and hearing can be improved in about half of the patients so treated. Incapacitating attacks of Ménière's disease can be successfully treated in selected cases by labyrinthectomy, ultrasound destruction of the vestibular system, or streptomycin treatment. With the advent of the transistor, improved power packs and miniaturization, hearing aids have become more acceptable to patients with sensorineural hearing losses. The most successful procedure for the management of otosclerosis is the stapedectomy operation.