Otology

Otology is a branch of medicine which studies normal, pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear (hearing).

Otology also studies vestibular sensory systems, related structures and functions, as well as their diseases, diagnosis and treatment.

Otology also includes surgical treatment of conductive hearing loss, such as stapedectomy surgery for otosclerosis.

Neurotology (a related field of medicine and subspecialty of otolaryngology) is the study of diseases of the inner ear, which can lead to hearing and balance disorders.

Neurotology is expanded to include surgery of the lateral skull base to treat intracranial tumors related to the ear and surrounding nerve and vascular structures, such as large cerebellar pontine angle acoustic neuromas, glomus jugulare tumors and facial nerve tumors.