MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Otosclerosis

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Otosclerosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Ear anatomy

Alternative names Return to top

Otospongiosis

Definition Return to top

Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that causes hearing loss.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Otosclerosis is an inherited disorder involving the growth of abnormal spongy bone in the middle ear. This growth prevents the stapes (stirrup bone) from vibrating in response to sound waves, thus leading to progressive (worsening over time) hearing loss.

Otosclerosis is the most frequent cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults, affecting about 10% of the population of the US. Otosclerosis usually affects both ears, and is most commonly seen in women aged 15-30.

Risks include pregnancy (which may trigger onset) and a family history of hearing loss. Caucasians are more susceptible than others to otosclerosis.

Symptoms Return to top

hearing loss
- slow, progressive
- hearing may be better in noisy environments than quiet areas.
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Signs and tests Return to top

An examination of the ears may rule out other causes of hearing loss.

A hearing test (audiometry/audiology) may determine the extent of hearing loss.
A temporal-bone CT scan may be used to distinguish otosclerosis from other causes of hearing loss.

Treatment Return to top

Otosclerosis may be slowly progressive, and the condition may not require treatment until the extent of hearing loss is significant.

Medications such as oral fluoride, calcium or Vitamin D may help to stabilize the hearing loss, but their benefit has not yet been proved.

A hearing aid may be used to treat the hearing loss. This will not cure or prevent the progression of the disease, but may help alleviate the symptoms of hearing loss.

Surgery to remove the stapes and replace it with a prosthesis is curative. This may be total replacement (stapedectomy) or a laser may be used to make a hole in the stapes (stapedotomy) to allow placement of the prosthesis.

To reduce the risk of complications after surgery:

Nose blowing is discouraged for 1 week after surgery.
Avoid people with respiratory or other infections.
Protect the ears against cold.
Avoid bending, lifting, straining (may cause dizziness).
Avoid loud noises or sudden pressure changes (scuba diving, flying, driving in the mountains) for 6 months or until healed.

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

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

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

Complications Return to top

total deafness
infection, dizziness, pain, blood clot in the ear after surgery

Calling your health care provider Return to top

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.

Update Date: 7/8/2004

Updated by: Kevin Fung, MD, FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.