Historia otologii. Część II (od schyłku XIX do końca XX wieku)

The ending of the XIX century was characterized by a rapid progress of otology in the treatment of the ears diseases. New methods of surgical treatment in otology were developed by understanding the pathophysiology. The greatest achievements in this area belong to doctors from Viennese and German institutions. At this time the surgical treatment of chronic otitis media, Ménière's disease, otosclerosis and tympanoplasty was started. Understanding of aseptic technique, the possibility to perform patient's anesthesia, new lighting techniques, microsurgical instruments and operating microscope have expanded surgical capabilities of otologists. The discovery of antibiotics and sulfonamides improved possibilities for the treatment of ear infections and their complications. High-resolution methods of computer tomography, vestibulogical and audiological diagnostics using objective methods (ABR, AOE) allowed to perform accurate diagnosis of the middle and inner ear diseases. New techniques of transplantation and ossicles prosthesis, drainage ventilation, digital hearing aids, cochlear, bone and brainstem anchored implants enable improvement of hearing organ's function. Today tinnitus, vertigo and hearing loss are serious problems for humanity, especially in elderly despite of enormous knowledge in the field of otology.