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The collection and study of well-documented pathological human temporal bones is essential for continued progress in elucidating disease processes of hearing, balance, and facial nerve function, for validation of clinical diagnoses during life, and to assess the efficacy of medical and surgical treatment. Because the structures of the auditory and vestibular system are inaccessible during life, the only way to study their pathology and anatomy is by examining the temporal bone after death.

The scientific value of your temporal bone donation is greatly enhanced if it is accompanied by up-to-date medical records. Therefore, we encourage donors to send records of all hearing tests, balance tests, and ear surgery to the Registry. Results of hearing tests (audiograms) that you may have had are extremely valuable. Researchers need your medical records so that they can correlate and link your ear disorder(s) to the changes they observe in your donated temporal bones.

The Registry Coordinator makes all the arrangements for temporal bone removal. No cost is incurred by the donor's family or estate. The medical professionals who remove the temporal bones donate their time or are paid by the laboratory receiving the temporal bones. Removal of temporal bones (and brain stem) does not change the appearance of the head, face, or outer ear. To ensure that your wish to donate your temporal bones is carried out, the Registry maintains a 24-hour-a-day nationwide network to remove donated tissues. Upon a donor's death, the next of kin or health care provider notifies the Registry with a call to our toll-free hotline, (800) 822-1327, 24 hours a day.

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