Otosclerosis

diagram of ear

Otosclerosis is a condition involving fixation of one of the little bones in the middle ear. The sound waves are not transmitted through the fixed bones and produce a hearing loss. The disease usually starts in early adulthood and progresses over a period of years. The disease tends to run in families.  Treatment involves removing the little bone that is fixed and replacing it with a wire prosthesis. The operation, called a stapedectomy, was first done in the late 1950’s and has been very successful in correcting this particular type of hearing loss. Many different types of prosthesis are now available.

Ear drum will be normal.