BACKGROUND: Diagnostic testing prior to ear surgery is an important part of the work of ear specialists in hospitals. To date, there is no national or international diagnostic standard. Rather, the test batteries used are dependent on hospitals' own doctrinal opinions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a survey in German-speaking countries to determine the routine diagnostic methods used prior to various ear surgery procedures.

METHODS: An online questionnaire with 18 general questions on the hospital's equipment and availability of tests and 6 questions on specific ear operations was sent to the departmental directors.

RESULTS: Of the 180 hospitals contacted, 56 (31%) took part in the survey. For eight specific operations (rehabilitative ear surgery with and without cholesteatoma, hearing-improving surgery, stapesplasty, ear canal stenosis surgery, ear canal atresia surgery, implantation of active middle ear implants, and cochlear implant surgery), the test batteries most commonly used in German-speaking countries could be determined. It was found that the majority of clearly defined diagnostic batteries are implemented in the hospital's own diagnostic steps. In German-speaking countries, neurootological diagnostics are preferably carried out before treatment with hearing implants, but are of only minor importance for middle ear surgery in German-speaking hospitals.

CONCLUSION: There is inhomogeneity regarding diagnostic pathways in ear surgery in German-speaking countries. The results of this survey provide a further basis for discussion concerning the development of a diagnostic standard, which is to be developed in corresponding guidelines and consensus papers.