Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a disease caused primarily by the abnormal remodeling of the bone in your middle ear. With this condition, abnormal bone remodeling disrupts sound traveling to your inner ear from your middle ear. It’s usually caused when the bones found within the middle of the ear or stapes get stuck in their place. When these bones can’t vibrate, it impairs the sound’s ability to travel. This disease remains a mystery, but some scientists believe it may be associated with immune disorders, stress fractures in the inner ear’s bony tissues, or a previous infection for measles.
The most common symptom of otosclerosis is the loss of hearing, which tends to start from one ear before moving gradually to another. Most people with the disorder notice that they can’t hear whispers or low-pitched sounds. It’s common for symptoms like balance problems, dizziness, and tinnitus to present themselves. Currently, there isn’t any effective medication or treatment for severe cases. However, mild otosclerosis may be treated with hearing aids to amplify sounds. A surgical procedure known as stapedectomy may be needed in some instances.
