Surgery
Otology expert witnesses
Listed otology expert witnesses address diseases and surgery of the ear, hearing loss and balance disorder. Noise-induced hearing loss and the management of cholesteatoma are frequent subjects of instruction.
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The evidence
What an otology expert witness is asked to determine
Otological evidence rests on audiometry. The configuration of the audiogram, its consistency across tests and the exposure or treatment history together determine whether hearing loss can be attributed to the cause alleged rather than to age or unrelated disease. Where an occupational claim is advanced, the employment history and any available noise survey data belong in the report alongside the audiometry.
- Whether the audiometric configuration is consistent with the cause alleged.
- Whether age-related loss has been properly accounted for before attribution.
- Whether cholesteatoma or chronic infection was identified and treated appropriately.
- Whether ear surgery was indicated and carried out to the expected standard.
- What can be said about hearing aid benefit, tinnitus and continuing disability.
Practitioners are listed across all four UK nations. Location can be narrowed in the register’s location listings before an instruction is made.
Claim contexts
Claims that instruct this discipline
These links describe the question otology evidence can answer. They do not prescribe the scope of an individual instruction.
Asbestos and industrial disease claims
Noise-induced hearing loss attributed to occupational exposure.
View claim type → 02Clinical negligence claims
Diagnosis and surgical treatment of ear disease.
View claim type → 03Personal injury claims
Hearing and balance consequences of injury.
View claim type →Search the register by the discipline used in the instruction.
See otology listingsReport routes
Reports prepared
Audiograms and clinic records support a records review report. A breach and causation report addresses attribution and apportionment.
A condition and prognosis report addresses continuing disability and aid benefit. The report page for each route sets out its scope.
Otology expert witness evidence
An otologist expert witness reads the audiogram against the exposure history and states what can and cannot be attributed to it.
The listing identifies discipline and areas covered; enquiries go to the practitioner. See the British Academy of Audiology alongside the case material.
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