Can Stapedectomy cause hearing loss?
When the stapes stops working Otosclerosis is an abnormal growth of extra bone around the stapes. The growth causes the stapes to be frozen in place so it can’t vibrate as it should, resulting in hearing loss.
What hearing problem does otosclerosis cause?
Otosclerosis can cause mild to severe hearing loss, but it very rarely causes total deafness. Your hearing usually gets worse gradually over months or a few years, and may continue to get worse if ignored and left untreated. But the hearing loss can normally be treated successfully with either hearing aids or surgery.
What does otosclerosis sound like?
Many people with otosclerosis first notice that they are unable to hear low-pitched sounds or can’t hear a whisper. Some people may also experience dizziness, balance problems, or tinnitus. Tinnitus is a ringing, roaring, buzzing, or hissing in the ears or head that sometimes occurs with hearing loss.
Can an audiologist diagnose otosclerosis?
Diagnosis and Treatment of Otosclerosis Otosclerosis can be diagnosed easily by an ear specialist with the help of an audiologist. Hearing testing is usually done in conjunction with an ear exam.
Can a Stapedectomy cause tinnitus?
In patients with no tinnitus or less than a small problem with tinnitus (TFIpre < 15), stapedectomy carries a 10% risk of transient worsening of tinnitus at 1 month, which resolves by the sixth postoperative month.
Does tinnitus go away after Stapedectomy?
In first few weeks after your surgery, you may have popping, clicking, pulsations and other sounds in the ear. Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears, may last 1-2 months and decreases as hearing improves.
Can otosclerosis be reversed?
Otosclerosis cannot be cured, but the hearing loss it causes can be overcome. The three major treatments include: Hearing aids can almost always overcome the conductive hearing loss, although loss continues to progress over time.
How does otosclerosis affect speech?
Unlike noise-induced hearing loss—which first affects the ability to hear high-frequency sounds—otosclerosis more often causes difficulty with low-pitched, deeper sounds or whispering. Sometimes, individuals with otosclerosis speak softly because they perceive their own voices as loud.
Is otosclerosis a disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) details how significant your hearing loss must be for it to qualify as a disability that prevents you from working, and thus makes you eligible for benefits. In addition, if you have good hearing in one ear, you won’t qualify for disability benefits.
