<p>A&#xa0;well-founded view of the future of otological surgery requires reflection on its history and, in particular, its current state of development. This discipline has always been shaped by detours, coincidences and groundbreaking turning points and will likely continue to be so. At present, however, highly dynamic developments are emerging that indicate a&#xa0;transition from purely reconstructive approaches toward surgically assisted, functionally restorative and regenerative and individualized treatment for disorders of the middle and inner ear. Major innovations in imaging and visualization, materials science, microelectronics and nanoelectronics, computer technology, bioengineering and molecular biology are currently driving this transformation. These advances are increasingly converging into an interdisciplinary field of innovation that will decisively influence the future direction of otological surgery.</p>