Ear and hearing
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a change in bone growth inside the ear that can stop a tiny hearing bone from moving freely. Hearing often becomes gradually quieter. Hearing aids and surgery are the main options.
ENT care in Bandra, MumbaiAbout Dr Adip Shetty
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What are the symptoms?
Hearing may fade in one ear or both over months or years. Ringing can occur too. The condition can run in families, but a relative having it does not mean you will develop it.
What happens inside the ear?
The stapes is one of three tiny bones that carry sound towards the inner ear. When it becomes fixed, sound is passed on less effectively. Sometimes the inner ear is affected as well.
How it is diagnosed
The eardrum may look normal. Hearing tests help show where sound is being lost, and other causes are considered. A CT scan is used in selected cases.
Choosing treatment
A hearing aid makes sound easier to hear without an operation. Stapes surgery uses a tiny replacement part to carry sound past the fixed bone. It can improve hearing, but carries a small risk of serious hearing loss. Your hearing test, the other ear and your preferences guide the decision.
A note on your care
“Choosing between a hearing aid and surgery is a personal decision. There should be time to understand both, ask questions and consider what fits your life.”
A little more clarity
Common questions
Do I have to have surgery?
No. A hearing aid is a valid long-term option. You can compare its likely benefit with the benefits and risks of an operation.
Does it cause sudden deafness?
Otosclerosis usually progresses gradually. A sudden hearing drop needs urgent assessment and should not be assumed to be part of this condition.
Can I have otosclerosis with a normal-looking eardrum?
Yes. The problem is deeper inside the ear. Hearing tests help identify the pattern.
If it runs in my family, should I be tested?
A family history is useful to mention. Arrange a hearing test if you notice a change; family history alone does not establish the diagnosis.
Sources and review
Updated . General information to help you prepare for a consultation.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Adip Shetty on .