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Otosclerosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Otospongiosis

Treatment:

Otosclerosis may slowly get worse. The condition may not require treatment until you having severe hearing problems.

Medications such as oral fluoride, calcium, or vitamin D may help to control the hearing loss, but the benefits have not yet been proven.

A hearing aid may be used to treat the hearing loss. This will not cure or prevent hearing loss from getting worse, but may help relieve some of the symptoms.

Surgery to remove part of the ear (stapes) and replace it with a prosthesis can cure the condition. A total replacement is called a stapedectomy. Sometimes a laser is used to make a hole in the stapes to allow placement of the prosthetic device. This is called a stapedotomy.

Expectations (prognosis):

Otosclerosis is progressive without treatment; however, surgery may restore at least partial hearing. Most complications of surgery correct themselves within a few weeks.

To reduce the risk of complications after surgery:

• Do not blow your nose for 1 week after surgery.
• Avoid people with respiratory or other infections.
• Protect the ears against cold.
• Avoid bending, lifting, or straining, which may cause dizziness.
• Avoid loud noises or sudden pressure changes such as scuba diving, flying, or driving in the mountains for 6 months or until healed.

If surgery is unsuccessful, total hearing loss may occur. Treatment then involves developing skills to cope with deafness , including use of hearing aids and visual cues.

Complications:

• Complete deafness
• Infection, dizziness, pain, or blood clot in the ear after surgery

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if hearing loss occurs.

Call your health care provider if fever, ear pain, dizziness, or other symptoms develop after surgery.

• Review Date: 8/3/2006
• Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center atBrooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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