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 sound waves to be conducted into the inner ear. The gradual growth of bone is why otosclerosis is progressive-the loss of bone movement is also gradual. Some people with otosclerosis have both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss-this second kind of loss happens when the cochlear filaments in the inner ear grow hard.
Other symptoms may include tinnitus (a ringing, buzzing, or clicking in the ears that may or may not go away, and may return), difficulty maintaining balance, feeling dizzy, and the feeling of having an earache.
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