Deafness resulting from Otosclerosis

This hereditary disease of bone is unique to the human otic capsule and is one of the most important causes of conductive hearing loss in adults.  Otosclerosis occurs most frequently after puberty and affects women more than men. 

This condition occurs when minute areas of bone of the otic capsule are resorbed and replaced with sclerotic bone in an irregular mosaic pattern.  In Stapedial Otosclerosis this process spreads to the stapes (the tiniest bone in the body) fixing it, thus causing conductive hearing impairment.  This type of hearing impairment can be corrected by a surgical technique known as Stapedotomy.  In Cochlear Otosclerosis the process spreads to the inner ear causing sensori-neural hearing impairment.  This type of hearing impairment is permanent and may even be progressive in nature.  On occasion the otosclerosis may spread to the balance organs and cause dizziness.

The initial symptom of Otosclerosis is the inablity to hear a whisper or to understand someone speaking from a distance.  They also experience a permanent ringing sound or tinnitus in their ears.  Those suffering from bilateral conductive hearing loss, their own voice seems loud and thus they pitch their voice lower and lower until it is barely audible to others.  The relative increase in bone conduction intensifies the sound of chewing.  Hence the patient’s hearing appears to be poorer during meal times.  Patients with otosclerosis hear fairly well on the telephone.  They also hear much better in noisy places where people must talk above surrounding noises.  They are thus comfortable at party settings.  Diagnosis is usually confirmed by audiological evaluation.