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Otosclerosis Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.

Answers to questions about otosclerosis

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

I've lost my hearing in both ears - can I have surgery on both?

Surgery on both ears is not always advisable. This is something you will need to discuss on an individual basis with your surgeon.

Explanation

Some surgeons do not advise having surgery on both your ears. This is because of the risk of complications during the stapedotomy procedure, which at worst could result in complete hearing loss in the ear being operated on. If one ear is not operated on, you would still be able to use a hearing aid in this ear and maintain some level of hearing, should you lose your hearing in the other ear.

Your surgeon may be willing to do the operation on both ears if he or she has the necessary experience and thinks that the operation would be beneficial to you. Your surgeon will discuss the risks of the procedure with you before you have the operation.

Sources

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Does having a stapedotomy mean I won't have any hearing loss in the future?

Having a stapedotomy can greatly improve hearing in many people. However, there is still a chance that you may develop some problems with your hearing later on in life.

Explanation

In rare cases, a stapedotomy can damage the inner ear, resulting in severe loss of hearing. This may not become apparent until many years after the procedure.

In addition, a stapedotomy may not stop otosclerosis spreading into your inner ear. If your inner ear becomes affected, this can also result in hearing loss.

Your chance of developing some degree of age-related hearing loss will also be the same as it would have been without having had otosclerosis. This is because age-related hearing loss is due to wear and tear in the inner ear over time, and so can't be prevented by surgery for otosclerosis.

Sources

  • Otosclerosis. ENT.UK - the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists - Head & Neck Surgeons. www.entuk.org, accessed 7 May 2008
  • Otosclerosis. British Tinnitus Association. www.tinnitus.org.uk, accessed 7 May 2008
  • Otosclerosis. Deafness Research UK. www.deafnessresearch.org.uk, accessed accessed 7 May 2008
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What is a bone conduction hearing aid?

A bone conduction hearing aid is a newer type of device that can be useful for people with otosclerosis.

Explanation

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that works by amplifying sound (making it louder) so that you are able to hear it.

Traditional hearing aids sit behind your ear or in your ear and connect to an earmould that fits inside your ear canal. If you have one of these hearing aids, sound waves follow the normal pathway through your ear, with the earmould directing the amplified sound waves into your ear canal.

A bone conduction hearing aid also amplifies sound, but it transmits the sound waves through the bone behind your ear, straight to the nerves of your inner ear. This means that the sound waves don't need to pass through your outer and middle ear at all. This is helpful in otosclerosis, when your middle ear is unable to transmit sound waves.

Older bone conduction hearing aids have a bone vibrator fitted to a removable headband. These can be uncomfortable to wear. Newer types are surgically implanted into the part of the skull bone behind your ear. These are called bone anchored hearing aids.

If your ENT surgeon or audiologist has suggested a bone-anchored hearing aid as a treatment option, you will need to have an assessment to check whether this type of hearing aid would work for you. The devices aren't available in every hospital, so you may need to be referred to a specialist centre for assessment and to have your hearing aid implanted.

Sources

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr Sebastian Hendricks, MSc, Consultant in Audiovestibular Medicine, Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, Edgware Community Hospital, and by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by Deafness Research UK. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: November 2008.

 

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