Otosclerosis is a condition in which there's abnormal bone growth inside the ear. It's a fairly common cause of hearing loss in young adults.
There are 3 tiny bones deep inside the ear that vibrate when sound waves enter. They transmit sound waves to the cochlea (inner ear), which converts them into signals that are sent to the brain.
In otosclerosis, the stapes (stirrup bone) begins to fuse with the surrounding bone, eventually becoming fixed so it cannot move. This means the sound is no longer transmitted into the inner ear efficiently.
Your hearing usually gets worse gradually over months or a few years and may continue to get worse if ignored and left untreated.
Difficulty hearing
Progressive
Both ears, In one ear
common
Family history of otosclerosis
History of osteogenesis imperfecta
Otosclerosis can usually be treated successfully with either a hearing aid or surgery. If your hearing loss is very mild, you may not need any treatment at first.
If you have Otosclerosis, then a visit to an ENT specialist is recommended.
Contact an
ENT specialist