[Conduction deafness and collapse of the auditory meatus. Value and limitations of the stapedial reflex in conduction deafness].

Collapse of the auditory meatus constitutes an audiometric trap provoking a false transmission deafness. It can also permanently affect audition, whether it be primary in origin or post-mastoidectomy. The association of conservation of the stapedial reflex and transmission deafness is noticed immediately, but this is in fact compatible with an interruption in the chain by incus luxation. These notions must be known in order to avoid operation in false transmission deafness, and inversely to decide when to explore the cavity in certain post-mastoidectomy sequelae with meatal collapse.