It is a localized hereditary disorder affecting bone inside the ear. It occurs due to disordered resorption and deposition of bone. It commonly affects the stapes bone inside the ear which plays a major role in sound transmission from external ear to inner ear. It causes fixation of stapes bone and it affects its movement and transmission of sound. So the patient will have decreased hearing or hearing loss.
It usually affects both ears and is more common in 20–30-year-olds. Patient presents with deafness - which is gradually increasing, also with hissing sound in ears and dizziness. For evaluation and diagnosis, it needs to do pure tone audiometry with a tympanogram. Treatment options include surgery or use of Hearing aids. Stapedotomy/ Stapedectomy is the surgery for otosclerosis. In stapedotomy we remove the fixed stapes and we place a piston which will act like the stapes and helps in sound transmission. Usually the surgery is done under Local anesthesia and in majority of the cases the patient regains hearing as soon as we place the piston. Use of hearing aid helps by amplification of sound thus helping in improvement of hearing. It doesn’t prevent the progression of disease process thus causes damage to the nerves and finally ends up with sensorineural hearing loss.
If Otosclerosis is left untreated it progresses and causes profound hearing loss. This is Far Advanced Otosclerosis. At this stage to regain hearing, patients may even need Cochlear implantation. In some cases implantation is also very difficult as disease can cause ossification of cochlea. In our center we have done more than 500 cases of stapedotomy successfully with excellent results. Otosclerosis is a condition that can significantly impact a person's quality of life, as it gradually leads to hearing loss. It often starts with mild symptoms such as decreased hearing and a hissing sound in the ears, but if left untreated, it can progress to profound hearing loss. Early diagnosis with pure tone audiometry and tympanogram is essential for proper treatment.
Surgery, specifically stapedotomy or stapedectomy, is a common treatment for otosclerosis. This procedure involves removing the fixed stapes bone and replacing it with a piston that acts as a substitute for sound transmission.Most patients' hearing improves promptly after surgery. However, some individuals may opt for the use of hearing aids instead of surgery, as they amplify sound, aiding in the improvement of hearing. Otosclerosis is progressive and can proceed to severe stages if left untreated (FAO). At this stage, the damage to the nerves is severe, and patients may require cochlear implantation to regain their hearing. In some cases, the disease can even cause ossification of the cochlea, making implantation challenging. Therefore, early intervention is crucial to prevent the progression of otosclerosis and the need for more invasive treatment options. In our center, we have successfully performed over 500 cases of stapedotomy, with excellent results. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing the best possible care for patients with otosclerosis, ensuring that they regain their hearing and improve their overall quality of life.