Managing Otosclerosis Ears
Find out about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment choices, of otosclerosis ears. Know how early diagnosis helps get better easily.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Otosclerosis is a disease that makes hearing difficult by blocking the way sound travels through the ear. Abnormal bone remodelling in the inner ear interferes with the natural progression of sound, i.e., from waves to electrical currents required for hearing. Early detection of otosclerosis helps manage symptoms and prevent further damage. Therefore, knowing the condition, causes and symptoms, its treatment and prevention can help individuals better manage it and protect their hearing abilities.
Understanding Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a disease that affects the complex workings of the ear, which causes temporary hearing loss that gets worse over time. To fully understand what it means, one must know how the ear usually works and how this problem affects it.
The human ear has three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. In the middle ear portion, there are three bones: malleus, incus, and stapes. These bones transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
In otosclerosis, the stapes are primarily affected. This condition makes this bone stuck in one place. As a result, it does not vibrate properly with the sound waves, disrupting the natural transmission of the sound through the ears. As a result, the affected individuals experience hearing loss.
Otosclerosis is further categorised into three stages:
Early Stage (Otospongiosis)
Progressive Stage
Advanced Stage
Causes and Risk Factors
Knowing what causes otosclerosis and what makes people more likely to get it can help someone determine who is at higher risk. Here are the possible causes:
Genetic Predisposition: If someone in the family has otosclerosis, there is a higher likelihood that other family members may develop it as well. The condition is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Changes in hormones during pregnancy and some viral diseases, like measles, can make otosclerosis worse in people who already have it.
Age: Otosclerosis is typically observed in the age group of 15 to 45.
Gender: Women are more likely to get otosclerosis than men. Also, women experience the worsening of the symptoms due to hormonal changes during the pregnancy.
Race: Caucasian people are more likely to develop this condition than Asians and Africans.
Symptoms of Otosclerosis
Knowing the signs of otosclerosis is essential for finding it early and getting the right treatment. The symptoms of this condition usually get worse over time, which has a big effect on quality of life. Here are some of the prevalent symptoms:
Hearing Loss: Hearing loss is the biggest giveaway of this condition. It usually starts slowly and is worse for low-pitched sounds at first but gets worse over time.
Tinnitus and Vertigo: Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and dizziness are typical signs of otosclerosis. Similar to hearing loss, this also becomes frequent as the condition worsens.
Soft Speech: People suffering from otosclerosis start speaking softly as the noise around them increases.
Difficulty in Noisy Environments: Individuals suffering from this condition feel uncomfortable in noisy environments.
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Diagnosis of Otosclerosis
It is very important to get a correct diagnosis to distinguish otosclerosis from other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. Different tests are used to prove the condition, which includes:
Audiometry Testing: Audiograms and other hearing tests measure the amount of hearing loss across a range of frequencies. People with otosclerosis often have conductive hearing loss.
Imaging Studies: CT scans give clear pictures of the ear bones, which helps prove the diagnosis of otosclerosis and rule out other conditions.
Differential Diagnosis: Some signs of otosclerosis can also be signs of Meniere's disease or chronic otitis media. A thorough review helps make sure that the diagnosis is correct.
Treatment Options
There are many ways to treat otosclerosis, from non-invasive methods to surgical interventions. But, the appropriate treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patient's goals. Here are more details –
1. Medical Management: Although no medicines can cure otosclerosis, fluoride supplements and calcium may slow its development in some cases where it affects the cochlea.
2. Surgical Interventions
In terms of surgery, there are two options –
Stapedectomy: The surgery replaces the stapes bone with a prosthesis, which makes it better at sending sound waves.
Stapedotomy: This treatment makes a small hole in the stapes bone to insert the prosthetic. It is a less invasive version of stapedectomy.
3. Hearing Aids and Assistive Devices: Hearing aids boost sound to help people who are losing their hearing. More advanced choices, such as bone-anchored hearing systems, may benefit people who can't have surgery.
Post-Treatment Care and Management
Treatment is not enough to cure otosclerosis. People need ongoing care to manage any remaining symptoms and ensure the best possible results. Therapy and regular tracking are both needed for this. Here are more details:
Rehabilitation and Hearing Therapies: After surgery, rehabilitation includes audiology lessons to find the best settings for hearing aids or retrain the brain to process sounds better.
Managing Residual Symptoms
Residual symptoms can be managed in the following ways:
Tinnitus Management: Some methods, like sound blocking and cognitive-behavioural therapy, can help people with tinnitus.
Balance Training: People who have vertigo can get help from vestibular therapy.
Monitoring Long-Term Outcomes: Regular follow-ups are necessary to see how well the surgery went and find where there are any chances of otosclerosis coming back or worsening.
Living with Otosclerosis
Living with otosclerosis means coming up with ways to deal with the problems and being optimistic about getting treatment and help. Here is how one can do it:
Coping Strategies and Support Groups: Support groups help people with otosclerosis cope with their problems by providing mental support and useful tips. Learning to deal with problems can improve one's daily life.
Importance of Regular Monitoring: Regular hearing tests help doctors keep track of changes in hearing and make any necessary changes to treatment plans to improve the condition.
Counselling Services: Professional counselling can help with anxiety or sadness caused by hearing loss.
Educational Resources: People with otosclerosis can make better choices about their care when they understand it. So, reading the right educational resources like blogs, articles, and research papers helps.
Prevention and Risk Mitigation
Although it is not possible to avoid otosclerosis, individuals can lessen its effects and improve the health of their ears by taking specific steps. It is also essential to educate and speak out. For families with a history of otosclerosis, genetic counselling can help them understand how likely it is that they will pass on the disease to their children.
Additionally, for those with otosclerosis, keeping their ears healthy and avoiding things that worsen their symptoms, like loud noises, may help.
Simultaneously, public awareness also plays a big part in the prevention of this condition. This includes:
Educational Campaigns: Getting more people to know about otosclerosis can help people get it diagnosed and treated quickly.
Advocacy for Research: Supporting study projects can lead to significant steps forward in treating otosclerosis.
Conclusion
Hearing aids, surgery, and supportive treatments can help people with otosclerosis, but they can't cure it. Early detection is key to ensuring better results. Long-term tracking and regular follow-ups are necessary to deal with hearing changes and ensure the best quality of life possible. But, managing otosclerosis requires a multifaceted approach that includes doctors, supportive communities, and proactive personal care. People with otosclerosis can live peacefully if they manage their symptoms right away and follow their treatment plans.
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Consult Top ENT Doctor
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14 Years • MBBS ,MS -ENT
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Dr. Krishan Rajbhar
Ent Specialist
8 Years • MBBS, MS(ENT), Fellowship in Neurotology Fellowship in Middle Ear Surgery & Cochlear Implant, Fellowship in Allergy & Asthma
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Dr. Krishan Rajbhar's Clinic, Kolkata
(150+ Patients)
Dr. M Venkata Apparao
Ent Specialist
25 Years • MBBS MS
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Apparao ENT CLINIC, Visakhapatnam
Consult Top ENT Doctor
Dr. Gurleen Kaur
Ent Specialist
14 Years • MBBS ,MS -ENT
New Delhi
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Delhi, New Delhi
Dr. Shalu Sharma
Ent Specialist
14 Years • MBBS, DLO, DNB (ENT)
Delhi
Salus Advanced ENT Care, Delhi
Dr. Sourav Banerjee
Ent Specialist
5 Years • MBBS, MS (Otorihnolaryngology)
New Delhi
THE DOCTORS NESST, New Delhi
Dr. Krishan Rajbhar
Ent Specialist
8 Years • MBBS, MS(ENT), Fellowship in Neurotology Fellowship in Middle Ear Surgery & Cochlear Implant, Fellowship in Allergy & Asthma
Kolkata
Dr. Krishan Rajbhar's Clinic, Kolkata
(150+ Patients)
Dr. M Venkata Apparao
Ent Specialist
25 Years • MBBS MS
Visakhapatnam
Apparao ENT CLINIC, Visakhapatnam
