Otosclerosis
Fetal inner ear is made of cartilage. It is gradually ossified by special bone-producing foci, which complete their work before birth. Sometimes, these bone producing areas of the ear do not stop working after birth, and carry on producing fresh bone, even in adulthood. This abnormal bone disturbs the mobility of the ossicles behind the eardrum, and causes hearing loss. The disease is called otosclerosis and is common in southern mediterranean area, including Greece. Its main symptom is hearing loss, which typically deteriorates during periods of hormonal hyperfunction, such as adolescence, pregnancy and menopause.
Medical treatment with combination of fluoride, calcium and vitamin D has been tried with no definite results. On the contrary, surgical treatment offers excellent results.
Stapedotomy
The ossicle which is affected by the abnormal bone of otosclerosis is the third in the chain, namely the stapes. During the operation, a part of the stapes is removed and a 0,8 mm hole is opened in its base. A small piston made of platinum and titanium is fitted in the hole and transmits the sound waves to the inner ear, bypassing the blocked stapes.
The operation lasts for about an hour. Postoperatively there is no pain, but there may be some unsteadiness or mild dizziness, which lasts for a few days and is easily controlled with drugs. The patient is discharged home on the first postoperative day. Hearing is usually improved dramatically after the healing period and continues improving for the first postoperative year. Success rates for this operation exceed 95%. Nevertheless, there is a small chance (less than 2%) of hearing deterioration due to a reaction of the inner ear to operative manipulations, which is always discussed with the patient preoperatively.
This website aims at providing simplified scientific information and not medical advice on specific conditions or individual cases. In this respect, it cannot replace the consultation and documented opinion of a specialist physician.