The structures inside your middle ear can have a significant impact on your hearing, including the tiniest bone in your body. Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone remodeling process that causes conductive hearing loss. Seeking treatment as soon as possible can reduce your risk of further issues and help you live comfortably.
What is Otosclerosis?
It’s an abnormal growth of the stapes in your middle ear. It’s the last of the three ossicles in your ear that amplifies sound waves and is closest to your inner ear. Otosclerosis occurs when the stapes fuses with surrounding bone tissue. That prevents it from functioning and sending sound vibrations to your inner ear. Think of sound traveling like water in a river. Otosclerosis creates a dam that prevents the current (sound vibrations) from flowing properly.
Symptoms of Otosclerosis
Hearing loss: As the stapes hardens, it can fuse to the membrane that covers the opening to your inner ear. That blocks sounds and limits sound vibrations from reaching your inner ear. You may struggle to perceive low-pitched sounds and whispers, which can worsen over time.
Tinnitus: If your brain doesn’t receive auditory input, it may increase neural activity to compensate. That can result in the perceived whistling, ringing or buzzing only you hear.
Balance issues: In rare cases, otosclerosis can extend to your inner ear and disrupt your vestibular system, which regulates your balance. That can result in dizziness or feeling unsteady on your feet.
Ear fullness: As the stapes changes shape, it will alter the pressure within your ear. Your brain may interpret that sensation as a blockage that makes you feel like your ears are plugged.
What Causes Otosclerosis?
The exact cause is unknown. This condition is often linked to abnormal bone remodeling, which is the process of bone tissue breaking down and rebuilding. Spongy tissue regenerates and hardens over time, which can fix the stapes in place. Research suggests that otosclerosis tends to run in families, so you may be prone to this condition if your grandparents, parents or siblings have it. It’s most common in white women between 20 and 45 years old, which may be due to the effects of estrogen on bone metabolism. Abnormal immune system responses, particularly those linked to previous measles infections, have also been linked to a disruption in stapes growth.
How It’s Diagnosed
You’ll meet with an audiologist or otolaryngologist who will conduct a physical exam to determine if otosclerosis is the cause of your hearing issues. They’ll discuss your medical history to help rule out other causes before conducting an audiogram and tympanogram to measure your hearing and eardrum function. You may also need to undergo a CT scan so your doctor can look at the tissues and identify malformations.
Treating Your Otosclerosis
Hearing aids: Wearing hearing aids increases the volume and quality of sounds so your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to interpret limited stimuli.
Stapedectomy: This is a surgical procedure that removes the fused stapes bone from your middle ear. Depending on the instruments and process, a small incision may be made behind or in front of your ear to reach your middle ear bones. An artificial device replaces the bone to maintain sound transfer into your inner ear.
Cochlear implants: You may need a cochlear implant if bone growths develop in your inner ear, known as cochlear osteosclerosis. That device bypasses your inner ear and sends sound vibrations directly to your auditory nerve.
Living Comfortably with Otosclerosis
Seeking diagnosis and treatment as soon as you notice symptoms can help you manage the progression and optimize your hearing health. Your audiologist can make specific adjustments to your hearing devices, and wearing them daily can help your brain relearn sounds it’s been missing.
It can be frustrating navigating these changes, which is why a support system is crucial. Working with your loved ones to improve communication and making lifestyle adjustments to maintain social engagement can enhance your quality of life.
Hearing Loss Management Services from Hearing Associates
You don’t have to navigate your hearing journey on your own. The expert team at Hearing Associates is not only experienced but passionate about helping you find a solution to suit your needs. We offer hearing tests, hearing aid services, aural rehabilitation and more. Contact us to schedule your appointment.