Otosclerosis
Your ears convert sound waves into electrical impulses and send them to the brain via your nerves, and you interpret these impulses as sound.
In otosclerosis, abnormal bone growth interferes with the normal functioning of structures in your ear, which disrupts with the path of sound waves or nerve impulses. This can cause you to lose your hearing, sometimes severely. The type of hearing loss we have depends on what ear structure(s) are affected.
No one is sure what causes otosclerosis, but it tends to run in families, and white, middle-age women are most often affected. Some say it is linked to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, whereas others associate it with viral infections (such as measles).
If you experience even gradual hearing loss (for instance, if you can't hear someone whispering), dizziness, problems balancing, or a ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus), talk to your ENT (ears, nose, and throat) doctor. You may have otosclerosis.
Recently Answered
- Q When do most people start to notice symptoms of otosclerosis?
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Most people start to notice symptoms of otosclerosis in their late teens or early adult years, although symptoms may start earlier. These symptoms (e.g., hearing loss, trouble balancing, dizziness, and sometimes tinnitus) may be mild at first and get... Full Answer
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- Q Is otosclerosis serious?
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Otosclerosis can be serious because it can affect your ability to hear other people, respond to your environment, and balance properly. However, not all people with otosclerosis experience symptoms of the disease, and some might have very mild symptoms... Full Answer
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- Q How do I manage my otosclerosis on a daily basis?
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People with otosclerosis should make sure to keep medical appointments, such as appointments with otologist, otolaryngologist, and/or audiologist as required. This is because otosclerosis is a progressive (gradual) disease, and different degrees of... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat otosclerosis?
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Hearing aids and surgery are the usual treatments for otosclerosis, although treatment is not always needed right away. Sometimes tinnitus, a symptom of otosclerosis where there is ringing, buzzing, or clicking in your ears, is treated with medications,... Full Answer
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- Q What are the treatment options for otosclerosis?
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Some people may not need their otosclerosis treated right away. Whether and when otosclerosis is treated depends on how much hearing loss you have. People with a greater degree of hearing loss, and who have bone growth on one or more of their middle-ear... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my otosclerosis symptoms?
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If you are experiencing symptoms of otosclerosis, you should talk to your doctor. You will likely be referred to an otolaryngologist, an otologist, or an audiologist for an evaluation. It's important to mention that you think you might have otosclerosis,... Full Answer
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- Q How does otosclerosis affect the body?
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Otosclerosis may cause hearing loss and earaches. While otosclerosis mainly affects your middle and inner ear, the symptoms of otosclerosis can also affect other areas of your body. For example, people with otosclerosis may experience tinnitus (a... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of otosclerosis?
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The major symptom of otosclerosis is hearing loss. There are several kinds of hearing loss; with otosclerosis, the most common type is conductive hearing loss. As the vibration of one or more of the middle ear bones lessens or stops, it is difficult for... Full Answer
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