otosclerosis

Pathology

• conductive hearing loss
• the tympano-ossicular mechanism of transmitting sound through the middle ear to the cochlea, oval & round windows becomes progressively stiffened
• fixation of the stapes footplate eventually causes a conductive hearing loss

Genetics

usually family history of hearing loss

History

• no history of exposure to loud noises

Clinical manifestations

• gradual hearing loss
  • difficulty hearing low-pitched sounds
• Rinne test shows bone conduction is better than air conduction
• Weber test shows the tuning for heard more loudly in the affected ear
• hearing loss does not respond well to amplification
• deafness can lead to social isolation

Management

• surgery (stapedectomy or stapedotomy) can improve condition
• hearing aid may be helpful

More general terms

• ear disease

Additional terms

• conductive hearing loss
• oval window; vestibular window
• Rinne test
• round window
• tympanic membrane (eardrum)