Otosclerosis, because of progressive deafness
Written by:Otosclerosis is one of the most frequent causes of progressive deafness, which has an excellent solution. It is also usually inherited and is more frequent in women, worsening noticeably during pregnancy.
Its causes respond to an abnormal ossification of the stapes (the smallest bone of the ear), which is blocked and does not allow the passage of sound to the inner ear, causing a progressive deafness without the possibility of medical treatment.
Symptoms of otosclerosis
The main symptom of otosclerosis is progressive deafness , followed by tinnitus (ear sounds) more or less intense. Light instability can also occur in some cases.
The diagnosis is made by microscopic clinical examination, tonal and vocal audiometry. In some cases, radiological exploration (CT) is also required.
Treatment of otosclerosis
The ideal treatment is laser microsurgery that in expert hands can give an excellent result in almost 99% of cases. The surgery consists of the total or partial replacement of the stapes and the adaptation of a replacement prosthesis to recover mobility.
The operation can be performed with local anesthesia and minimal discomfort for the patient who can be discharged the same day or the next day depending on the technique used.
Auditory recovery is almost immediate, although it can improve up to 2-3 months later.
We recommend a week of tranquility although it is not necessary to rest. It is advisable not to travel by plane, at least, during the following 15 days to the operation and not to get your ear wet for a month.
The final auditory control is done after two - three months and, in general, the hearing recovery is excellent.