Otosclerosis, is a frequent cause of hearing loss in young adult patients, more frequent in women and usually worsens with pregnancy or even associated with the first pregnancy.
From the Greek OTUS – heard – and SKLEROS – hard -, it consists of a bony dystrophy of the labyrinth capsule with foci of replacement of pathological bone, that is, an affectation of the cochlea also popularly known as a snail and which is the internal auditory organ where there are the cells that receive the sound. So, what happens is that this ossification fixes the movement of one of the ossicles of the ear called stirrup, causing a deficit in the transmission of sound that translates as an auditory deficit (hearing loss).
This condition typically begins from the beginning to the middle of adulthood. Generally begins the process in ages between 15 and 25 years. Its appearance is infrequent before the age of 12, as well as beyond the age of 45. It is more common in women than men with a ratio of 2: 1 and is related to pregnancy. Family history is also a risk factor for this pathology, even when 50% of patients have familial deafness.
The diagnosis is made by the otolaryngologist, in most cases quickly and easily. The treatment of choice is Otologic Microsurgery, being very important that the Otorhinolaryngologist has extensive experience in these techniques, since they present great complexity for non-habituated specialists. In certain cases the adaptation of Hearing Aids can also be considered as an alternative treatment.
The surgery consists of the replacement of the abutment by a prosthesis, either completely in the form of Stapedectomy or incompletely through a Stapedotomy, surgeries that in certain cases can be done with Laser.
If you have questions or require more information, visit the specialists of the Otorhinolaryngologists portal in Mérida.
