Otology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the EAR. It is also known as otolaryngology, which is the STUDY of the EAR, nose, and throat. The term 'otology' comes from the Greek words 'oto' meaning 'EAR' and 'LOGOS' meaning 'STUDY'. Otology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the EAR, such as hearing loss, balance disorders, tinnitus, and EAR infections.