Purpose: Iterative reconstruction (IR) has recently demonstrated its ability to reduce the dose of X-rays used in the exploration of several anatomical regions. However, there is no study involving a qualitative and quantitative comparison of the various IRs available for exploring the temporal bone. The aim of this study is to analyse two IR algorithms (ASiR®, statistical iterative reconstruction and SAFIRE®, model based iterative reconstruction). Methods: Using a Catphan® phantom, we studied the quantitative relationship of the contrast on noise/CDTI_vol/IR. We verified the absence of a reduction in spatial resolution during the use of IRs by measuring MTF_50%. Based on these data we acquired a series of images on an anthropomorphic phantom with an authentic human temporal bone for each level of iteration; the purpose of this was to evaluate them qualitatively. The CDTI_vol of temporal bone IRs was adjusted based on the measurements taken with the Catphan phantom in order to acquire images with a constant CNR. Results: The resulting measurements demonstrated a reduction in noise without a loss of spatial resolution in the two manufacturers' systems. The quantitative study by four radiologists allowed us to optimise CDTI_vol and the level of iteration. This optimisation made it possible to reduce the dose in the two manufacturers' systems, and the most effective of these algorithms enabled a reduction in CDTI_vol of 64.6% during explorations of the temporal bone. Conclusion: The two analysed iterative reconstruction algorithms responded well to the objectives of dose reduction in the exploration of the temporal bone.