Because of the numerous and varied surgical approaches to ear pathology devised and expanded in the past two decades, we are destined to be confronted with increasingly frequent cases of ossicular defects behind an intact eardrum. Using a technique which is the converse of the established "patch" test a simple office procedure is described which may help establish the diagnosis of ossicular discontinuity in the adult with an intact eardrum. An audiogram is obtained and then a myringotomy performed with insertion of a large ventilation tube. A second audiogram is then done. A rise in the air conduction level, in the absence of fluid, is suggestive of ossicular discontinuity.