Do you sometimes feel like the TV is not as loud as it used to be? Or do you feel like you can't hear someone speaking softly or whispering? If these things are gradually increasing over time, one reason could be a condition called Otosclerosis. Although many people don't know about this, this is also something that can cause hearing loss. Let's talk about this simply and politely today and see what it is, why it happens, and what can be done about it.
What is Otosclerosis?
Simply put, Otosclerosis is a condition in which a bone in our middle ear becomes blocked, causing hearing loss. Okay, let's explain that a little more.
In order for us to hear sound, sound waves must travel into our ears and vibrate the eardrum. When the eardrum vibrates, three tiny bones attached to it vibrate. One of these three bones is the stapes . This is the smallest bone in our body. This stapes bone vibrates and sends the sound waves to the inner ear. From there, the sound travels to the brain, where we understand that "this is sound."
In otosclerosis, an abnormal growth of bone tissue occurs around the stapes bone. Like a rusty bolt , this new growth prevents the stapes bone from vibrating freely. That is, it becomes stuck in one place. This blocks the passage of sound waves from the middle ear to the inner ear. The result is that we gradually lose our hearing.
What are the symptoms of this?
The main symptom of otosclerosis is a gradual loss of hearing. However, there are several other symptoms that can occur. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Symptom | What is its nature? |
|---|---|
| Gradual hearing loss | At first, you may notice that you can't hear low-pitched sounds and things someone whispers. This condition gradually worsens over time. Most often, it affects both ears. However, in a small minority of people, about 10%-15%, it can affect only one ear. |
| Dizziness, vertigo , or balance problems | Some people may experience difficulty maintaining balance, such as when walking, or may experience dizziness or vertigo. |
| Hearing noises in the ears (Tinnitus) | When there is no sound from outside, a constant ringing, buzzing, or humming sound is heard inside the ear. This is also called tinnitus. Sometimes, this tinnitus condition can occur even after surgery. |
Risk factors for developing otosclerosis
Although the exact cause for this has not yet been found, experts say that the following factors may increase the likelihood or risk of this condition occurring.
- Age: It usually starts at a young age. It can occur between the ages of 10 and 45, but is most common in the 20s. Symptoms tend to become more severe in the 30s.
- Genetics : If it runs in your family, you are more likely to develop it too. About half of people with otosclerosis have a gene for it. But not everyone who has the gene will develop the disease.
- Gender: Although it can affect both men and women, women are more likely to develop the condition. Otosclerosis can cause hearing loss more quickly in men, especially if it occurs during pregnancy .
- Race and Ethnicity: This condition is most common among Caucasians. It is somewhat rare among African Americans and other ethnicities.
- Other medical history : If you have had measles as a child, your risk may be slightly higher. Stress fractures of the bones in the inner ear and immune disorders can also cause this condition.
How does a doctor find this?
If you notice a loss of hearing, the best thing to do is to see an ENT ( Ear , Nose, and Throat) doctor .
The doctor will first ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has had similar conditions. Then, he will carefully examine the inside of your ear with a special instrument.
Next, you will be given several hearing tests to check your hearing. If necessary, your doctor may also order a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking many X-rays from different angles to create a clear, three-dimensional image of the bones inside your ear. This can help to identify any abnormal growths around the stapes bone.
The most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as you notice that you are losing your hearing, without ignoring it. The sooner it is detected, the better the chance of getting treatment.
What are the treatments for this?
There are several treatments for otosclerosis. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will discuss with you which treatment is best for you.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| Monitoring the situation | If your hearing loss is mild, your doctor may not start treatment right away, but instead take a "watchful waiting" approach. This involves testing your hearing periodically to see if it gets worse. |
| Hearing Aids | These devices cannot cure otosclerosis. However, they are a good solution for the hearing loss that results from it. Hearing aids pick up sounds, amplify them, and deliver them to the ear. |
| Surgery | If your hearing loss is severe or getting worse, your doctor may recommend a surgery called a stapedectomy . In this procedure, the surgeon implants a small artificial device (prosthesis) in the middle ear to replace the damaged stapes bone. This allows sound waves to travel back to the inner ear. However, as with all surgeries, there are risks. Very rarely, hearing loss can worsen after surgery. If both ears are affected, they will not operate on both ears at the same time. One ear is operated on and the other ear is operated on at least 6 months later. |
| Alternative Treatments | Some doctors recommend a supplement called sodium fluoride for this. However, it has not been scientifically proven to be effective. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about this. |
Take-Home Message
- Otosclerosis is a condition that causes gradual hearing loss, especially in young adults, due to hardening of the stapes, a small bone in the middle ear.
- If you are also experiencing symptoms such as gradual hearing loss, inability to hear whispers, or ringing in your ears (tinnitus), don't ignore it.
- As soon as you notice symptoms like these, see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT doctor) for advice.
- There are various treatment options, such as monitoring the condition, using hearing aids, or a surgery called stapedectomy.
- Always discuss with your doctor what treatment is best for you.
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