July 21, 2022 Inside the eardrum, the middle ear has three small ossicles articulated with each other to amplify the sound coming from the outside. Otosclerosis causes fixation of one of these ossicles, the stapes, causing the loss of the amplifying effect of the ossicles chain. Thus, otosclerosis can cause hearing loss or deafness . Otosclerosis can be unilateral or bilateral; Hearing loss due to otosclerosis is progressive; Contrary to what happens with deafness from other causes, people with hearing loss from otosclerosis are more likely to hear conversations in noisy environments. In otosclerosis, the following may also be present: Ringing in the ears or tinnitus; Dizziness (rarely). The symptoms of otosclerosis are difficult to distinguish from other causes of deafness because they are nonspecific. Otosclerosis diagnosis In any case of deafness, the first step will be observation in an otorhinolaryngology consultation , where audiometric tests may be necessary. When a conduction deafness (a specific type of deafness) is detected and the objective examination of the ear has no alterations, otosclerosis may be present. To help with treatment planning and sometimes to confirm the diagnosis, a computed tomography (CT scan) of the ears should also be performed. Otosclerosis treatment As otosclerosis is one of the causes of deafness with good surgical results, surgical replacement of the fixed stapes can resolve deafness in most cases. This surgery is called a stapedotomy . If there are contraindications or the person chooses not to undergo surgery, otosclerosis is one of the causes of deafness where the use of hearing aids , whether conventional or bone conduction prosthesis, has the best results. When to see an otolaryngologist When the patient feels a limitation in their quality of life due to symptoms associated with otosclerosis. This article was written by the Hospital da Luz otorhinolaryngology team. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
