Excessive bone tissue will often build up around the stapes which is a bone in the middle ear, which then cause the stapes to become fixed in place instead of vibrating as it would normally do when processing sound.

The person suffering from this disease will then experience conductive hearing loss if the nerve associated with hearing is also affected then sensorineural hearing loss will also occur. It is when both types of hearing loss come together in cases such as this that it is described as having mixed hearing loss.

The Symptoms of Otosclerosis

You may suffer hearing loss in either one or both ears in most cases it will be other people who may mention and make light in the first instance of your gradual loss of hearing as Otosclerosis develops at a very slow rate.

It is thought that over 90% of people suffering from the disease do so without there knowledge in the beginning. Tinnitus is often experienced alongside Otosclerosis, which is a background noise heard continually in the ear and this may often be severe and usually is an indication that the nerves have been affected.

Several hearing tests will be conducted to attempt to determine the severity and nature of the hearing loss in order to confirm diagnose of Otosclerosis.

Treatment for Otosclerosis

A surgical procedure called a stapedectomy will be performed and in most cases it is extremely effective in restoring normal hearing. The procedure involves removing the immobilised stapes and inserting prosthesis of stainless steel in the middle ear to take the place of the damaged one.

The stapedectomy can usually be performed on an out patient basis and based on the preference of the surgeon performing the operation a general or local anaesthesia may be used. Local anaesthesia is more commonly chosen as this allows the patient to remain awake and is therefore able to report any feeling of nausea which may suggest impending damage to the inner ear.

Surgery is not possible in all cases of Otosclerosis and if this is the case then an hearing aid can be used, those people that a stapedectomy is not suited for are those who experience frequent changes in barometric pressure such as divers and pilots, the elderly who suffer from imbalance and anyone who suffers from a disease known as Ménière's.

Also if the tympanic membrane has been damaged in any way such as it being perforated due to a middle ear infection then the infection must be cleared before the stapedectomy is performed. Usually people undergoing a stapedectomy will feel well enough and have no adverse effects from the procedure and will be able to return back to work in about a week.