What are the treatment options for otosclerosis?

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 bones (usually on the stapes), may need surgery. An otolaryngologist or otologist may perform the surgery, which can involve replacing the stapes with a prosthesis (stapedectomy), or using a laser to make a hole in the bone for the prosthesis (stapedotomy).

People with little hearing loss may want to get a hearing aid instead of having surgery. While the hearing aid won't treat the disease itself, it will magnify sound to help you hear better. If you have tinnitus, a hearing aid may help mask the ringing or buzzing sounds you are hearing. There are several other treatments available for tinnitus, including wearing a device that makes white noise (continuous sound to help you to ignore the sound of the tinnitus).