Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis or hardening of the ear results from the formation of abnormal sponge-like bone growth along the shapes in the middle ear. Shapes become immobile preventing transmission of sound vibration into the ear, leading to conductive hearing loss.
Etiology:
- Idiopathic ( exact cause is unknown )
- Hereditary
- Viral infections ( measles may also trigger)
- Sex hormones( more common in females- twice as compared to males)
- Parathyroid hormone
Classification of Otosclerosis:
A- Historical otosclerosis
This type of otosclerosis does not produce any symptoms during life but is revealed only in postmortem
B- Clinical Otosclerosis
1-Stapedial Otosclerosis:
The osteosclerotic focus may produce ankylosis of shapes causing conductive hearing loss.
2- Cochlear Otosclerosis:
The otosclerotic process infringes upon the membranous labyrinth producing sensorineural deafness.
3- Mixed otosclerosis:
Causes both fixation of the stapes and the involvement of the labyrinth so that there is mixed hearing loss.
Pathophysiology of Otosclerosis:
- Due to etiological factors
- The remodeling process of stapes becomes faulty
- Gradually abdominal bone growth
- Reduces movement of stapes
Signs and Symptoms of Otosclerosis:
- Loss of hearing
- Hardening of ear
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus(ringing)sensation
- Otalgia
Diagnosis of Otosclerosois:
- Audio-metric testing(determine the intent of hearing loss)
- Imaging
- Vestibular Testing
- Whisper Test
- Rinnes Test
- Weber Test
Management of Otosclerosis:
1- Stapedectomy
2- Stapedotomy
3- Hearing Aids
