Otosclerosis

Both of your ears have three tiny bones (ossicles) that help move sound vibrations to your inner ear. These bones constantly change shape (at a microscopic level). When you have otosclerosis, it means this bone growth is abnormal. This can make the bones stiffer than usual or even stuck. And that can make it harder to hear things.

Otosclerosis usually happens in both ears, but sometimes, this condition can cause hearing loss in only one. You may also notice other symptoms like:

• Balance problems
• Vertigo
• Dizziness
• Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s time to get things checked out.

What to expect at your first visit

When you come to your appointment, you’ll want to be ready to answer questions about what’s been going on, like:

• What kind of symptoms are you having?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been getting worse, and how so?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other health conditions?
• Does anyone in your family have hearing problems?

Your provider will look inside your ears and run hearing tests. You may also get orders for a CT scan. This imaging test helps your provider see if the bones and tissue inside your ear are growing abnormally. If they are, you likely have otosclerosis.

Meet Our Otosclerosis Team

Our team-based approach gives you highly personalized care — and the best possible results. We build a care team of providers from different specialties based on your diagnosis and needs. Your otosclerosis care team may have:

• Otolaryngologists
• Audiologists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Nurse practitioners

Your otosclerosis treatment depends on how much abnormal bone growth is in your ears — and where it is.

Hearing aids

You may be able to manage otosclerosis-related hearing loss with hearing aids. These devices can amplify sounds so you can hear them better. But they can’t keep otosclerosis from progressing. Sometimes, a special bone conduction hearing aid is an option. This device sends sound waves through the bone and bypasses the hearing bones.

Surgery

Your care team may decide otosclerosis surgery (stapedectomy) is best for you. This involves placing a prosthetic in your middle ear. The prosthesis takes the place of one of your hearing bones and lets sound travel to your inner ear without being affected. If you have otosclerosis in both ears, our team will repair one ear at a time.

Cochlear implants

If otosclerosis has affected your inner ear, your provider may recommend a cochlear implant. The cochlea is the part of your inner ear that takes sound waves and converts them into a signal that can be sent to your brain. But sometimes with otosclerosis, the machinery that converts sound waves into an electrical signal is lost. A cochlear implant is a device that directly stimulates your inner ear and sends sound waves to your brain. These surgically implanted devices can help you hear when hearing aids no longer help.

Taking the Next Step

Changes in your hearing are a common symptom of otosclerosis. While it often develops slowly, hearing loss in one or both ears is a sign that it’s time to see a healthcare provider. You can count on our expert otolaryngology team to find out what’s going on so you can confidently move forward with treatment.