In recent years the number of stapedectomies performed by residents in training programs has drastically decreased, raising the question of competency. With the lowered incidence of otosclerotic patients requiring surgery, who should perform a stapedectomy when it is indicated? Is the otolaryngologist who has the experience of 10 stapes procedures as competent as one who has performed 300? These are obviously difficult questions to answer. A recent paper presented at a national meeting suggested that the occasional operator should not attempt stapedectomy.While the Editors of The American journal of Otology do not take sides in this controversy, we felt it would be important to offer an opposing view. For this reason, the following comment was solicited from Dr. James L. Sheehy of The Otologic Medical Group.