Studies of 182 patients revealed that the microflora found in normal ears differs significantly from that found in the ears of patients with otitis externa or otitis media. The authors determined the bacterial sensitivity to common antibiotics and, on the basis of the studies, recommend a combination of polymyxin B, neomycin and bacitracin for treating external otitis and chronic otitis media. The latter condition often does not respond to antibiotic therapy, and in some cases adenoidectomy or mastoidectomy is suggested as a better treatment.