Otosclerosis

Otosclerosis is a condition that affects the tiny bones of the middle ear, most often the stapes bone. When this bone becomes fixed and can no longer vibrate normally, sound cannot travel through the ear as well — leading to gradual hearing loss.

At Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists, we help patients understand whether otosclerosis may be causing their hearing changes and what treatment options are available. For some people, hearing aids provide meaningful support. For others, a specialized ear surgery called stapedectomy may help restore hearing.

If you’ve noticed gradual hearing loss, especially in one or both ears without pain or infection, schedule an appointment today. We’ll evaluate your hearing and help you understand your options.

Otosclerosis often develops slowly over time. Symptoms may include:

• Gradual hearing loss in one or both ears
• Difficulty hearing soft voices or low tones
• Trouble following conversations in noisy places
• Ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears
• Speaking more softly because your own voice sounds loud to you
• A family history of similar hearing loss
• Hearing that seems to worsen over months or years
• Occasional balance symptoms, though this is less common

Otosclerosis is diagnosed through a combination of hearing testing, physical exam, and review of your symptoms. Evaluation may include:

• Hearing testing to identify the pattern and severity of hearing loss
• Bone conduction testing to determine how sound travels through the inner ear
• Tympanometry to evaluate eardrum and middle ear function
• Otoscopy to rule out other causes of hearing loss
• Review of family history and symptom progression
• CT imaging in select cases when more detail is needed before surgery

We’ll help determine whether your hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed — and whether otosclerosis is likely to be the cause.

Treatment depends on the severity of hearing loss, your goals, and whether you are a candidate for surgery. Options may include:

• Monitoring with repeat hearing tests if symptoms are mild
• Hearing aids to amplify sound and improve communication
• Stapedectomy or stapedotomy to bypass the fixed stapes bone and improve sound transmission
• Treatment planning with a fellowship-trained ear specialist for surgical cases
• Follow-up hearing testing after treatment
• Hearing protection and long-term monitoring

When surgery is appropriate, stapedectomy is a highly specialized procedure that requires advanced middle ear expertise.