What triggers otosclerosis?
What triggers otosclerosis?
The exact cause of otosclerosis is unknown. It may be passed down through families. People who have otosclerosis have an abnormal extension of sponge-like bone growing in the middle ear cavity. This growth prevents the ear bones from vibrating in response to sound waves.
Can otosclerosis be treated?
Mild otosclerosis can be treated with a hearing aid that amplifies sound, but surgery is often required. In a procedure known as a stapedectomy, a surgeon inserts a prosthetic device into the middle ear to bypass the abnormal bone and permit sound waves to travel to the inner ear and restore hearing.
How is otosclerosis detected?
Otosclerosis is diagnosed using tests including:
- hearing tests – a person with otosclerosis typically has a hearing loss that affects all frequencies (pitches). The hearing loss may be conductive or mixed in nature.
- CT scan – to check for damage to the cochlear nerve and labyrinth.
What is the best treatment for otosclerosis?
Surgery — Surgery can be a highly effective treatment for otosclerosis. The procedure is called a “stapedectomy” (or “stapedotomy”). The procedure is intended to “bypass” the fixed part of the stapes bone by removing it, and replacing it with a new, mobile, prosthetic bone.
Who is otosclerosis most common in?
Otosclerosis is the most common cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults. It typically begins in early to mid-adulthood. It is more common in women than in men. The condition may affect one or both ears.
How much does otosclerosis surgery cost?
On MDsave, the cost of a Stapedectomy or Stapedectomy Revision is $8,269. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.
Can otosclerosis spread?
Very occasionally, otosclerosis can spread to the inner ear, resulting in a greater level of hearing loss that cannot be improved with surgery.
What age does otosclerosis occur?
Overall, Caucasian, middle-aged women are most at risk. The hallmark symptom of otosclerosis, slowly progressing hearing loss, can begin anytime between the ages of 15 and 45, but it usually starts in the early 20’s.
Does otosclerosis affect balance?
The loss may appear very gradually. Many people with otosclerosis first notice that they cannot hear low-pitched sounds or they can no longer hear a whisper. In addition to hearing loss, some people with otosclerosis may experience dizziness, balance problems, or tinnitus.
How successful is surgery for otosclerosis?
Modern-day stapedectomy has been performed since 1956 with a success rate of approximately 90 percent. In rare cases (about one percent of surgeries), the procedure may worsen hearing.
How much is surgery for otosclerosis?
How long does otosclerosis surgery take?
The procedure takes about 90 minutes, and many patients are able to return home the same day. The surgeon uses a local anesthesia to relax the patient but not put them completely to sleep. Numbing medicine is used in the ear where the surgery itself takes place.
What is the best hearing aid for otosclerosis?
If your otosclerosis is mild, your doctor may take a watch-and-wait approach and test your hearing regularly. She might also recommend that you get a hearing aid. Some doctors may treat otosclerosis with sodium fluoride , a dietary supplement.
What you should know about otosclerosis?
Otosclerosis describes a condition of abnormal bone growth around one of the three small bones in the middle ear space called the stapes. When bone around the stapes hardens, the bone cannot move freely, which limits the ability to properly transmit sound.
What do you need to know about otosclerosis?
AMBULATORY CARE:
Is my hearing loss due to otosclerosis or a virus?
Otosclerosis is a rare disease which is most likely inherited but also can be influenced by a virus , such as the measles. This particular disorder is when there is abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that can potentially cause hearing loss.
