Treatment of otosclerosis is not essential, especially when hearing loss is unilateral and minor.
Hearing aids and lip-reading are of great benefit to patients with conductive deafness especially those with normal inner ear function. There are none of the risks of surgery, so in general, patients are encouraged to try a hearing aid before undergoing surgery.
Surgery involves a stapedectomy. The tympanic membrane is lifted to expose the middle ear. The stapes is then removed and replaced with a plastic prosthesis.
Stapedectomy produces dramatic improvement in 90% of cases.
However, there is a 2% chance of a deaf ear and balance problems, and these risks must be explained to the patient.
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