What is the main cause of otosclerosis?
What causes otosclerosis? Otosclerosis is most often caused when one of the bones in the middle ear, the stapes, becomes stuck in place. When this bone is unable to vibrate, sound is unable to travel through the ear and hearing becomes impaired (see illustration).
Can otosclerosis be cured?
Otosclerosis cannot be cured, but the hearing loss it causes can be overcome. The three major treatments include: Hearing aids can almost always overcome the conductive hearing loss, although loss continues to progress over time.
What is the procedure to correct 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.
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.
Can otosclerosis be caused by an injury?
Trauma and stress fractures: Experts have suggested that stress fractures to bones in the ear, and to the bony tissue surrounding the inner ear in particular, may put people at an increased risk of developing otosclerosis.
Who is most affected by otosclerosis?
Women aged between 15 and 30 years are most commonly affected by otosclerosis. The cause is unknown, but risk factors include family history, gender and pregnancy. Treatment options may include surgery or the use of hearing aids.
How painful is a Stapedectomy?
Is the stapedectomy considered a painful operation? Generally, a stapedectomy is not a very painful operation. Medication may be needed for a few days after the surgery.
Is otosclerosis an autoimmune disorder?
Otosclerosis is an autoimmune-inflammatory disorder. Its etiopathogenesis includes measles virus infection, anti-collagen autoimmunity, inflammation, bone loss, organotropism, hormonal and metabolic factors.
What happens if otosclerosis is not treated?
Otosclerosis can cause mild to severe hearing loss, but it very rarely causes total deafness. Your hearing usually gets worse gradually over months or a few years, and may continue to get worse if ignored and left untreated. But the hearing loss can normally be treated successfully with either hearing aids or surgery.
Can otosclerosis be cured without surgery?
Otosclerosis gets worse without treatment. Surgery can restore some or all of your hearing loss.
Does stress cause otosclerosis?
To answer the question – yes, stress can cause hearing loss. According to Hearing Consultants, “When your body responds to stress, the overproduction of adrenaline reduces blood flow to the ears, affecting hearing.
What is the best treatment for otosclerosis?
No medication has proven to be effective in the treatment of otosclerosis. Although a hearing aid can be worn successfully by most patients, natural hearing is preferred. Surgery has been found to be the most effective method of improving hearing loss caused by otosclerosis.
What you should know about otosclerosis?
Age: It usually starts when you’re young.
Surgery for otosclerosis is called a stapedectomy or stapedotomy. In general, the stapes surgery is an outpatient procedure that can be done under local or general anesthesia. The surgery is done through the ear canal with an operating microscope, or endoscope.
What do you need to know about otosclerosis?
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