Otosclerosis: treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Hearing loss with otosclerosis is well adjusted with the help of hearing aids, so the preliminary conversation with the patient should end with explaining to him the choice of the method of treatment - surgical (with a certain probability of complications) or electroacoustic (lacking this defect).
The goal of otosclerosis
Restoration of eucology.
Indications for hospitalization
Indications for hospitalization are similar to indications for surgical treatment:
- the presence of a bone-air interval of not less than 15 dB and the thresholds of bone conduction of not more than 40 dB in the speech frequency zone for audiological research:
- absence of signs of activity of the otosclerotic process (stable hearing for 1 year).
Non-medicamentous treatment of otosclerosis
Electroacoustic correction of hearing.
Medication
Unknown.
Surgical treatment of otosclerosis
Stapedotomy (stapedectomy) with stapedoplasty.
Further management
Audiologic examination (tone threshold audiometry) is performed at 4, 6 weeks and 1 year after surgery, provided the hearing is stable or improved. Deterioration of hearing, the appearance of noise in the operated ear, dizziness require immediate examination to determine the cause.
Approximate terms of incapacity for work depend on the nature of the patient's activity. After piston stapedoplasty, they are 2-3 weeks. Work in conditions of noise and (or) vibration requires either a change of profession or an increase in the period of incapacity for work.
For 3-4 months after stapedoplasty, the patient should be excluded from sudden head movements, jumping, running, using the elevator, except for the ascent to the 2-3rd floors with a fixed stop (it is possible to climb to higher altitude in stages of 2-3 floors). Do not recommend using underground metro lines. When sneezing, you should open your mouth, blow your nose without effort. Within 7-8 months, it is necessary to exclude flights by plane.
Forecast
The prognosis of the state of the auditory function depends on the spread of atosclerotic foci and the cochlear capsule. Involvement of the stapes in the process leads to the development of conductive hearing loss, foci outside the windows are accompanied by the development of neurosensory hearing loss. In both cases, deafness is extremely rare.
Prophylaxis of otosclerosis
Not known.
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