Frequently asked questions

1. Is otosclerosis related to pregnancy?
2. How long does the operation take?
3. How long before I know the operation has been a success?
4. Can I have the operation done on both ears?

Is Otosclerosis related to pregnancy
Otosclerosis can often first present during pregnancy. Many women notice that during the course of their pregnancy their hearing gets worse.  This is due to the effect of the hormones on the otosclerotic bone. Other studies have shown that women who get pregnant after having had a stapedectomy may also suffer some loss of hearing during the pregnancy but this is to a much smaller degree than in a non-operated ear.
 

How long does the operation take?
The operation usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. If it is being done under local anaesthetic you may also be some medication that will make you feel slightly drowsy. Do not worry about having to lie still for all that time as there will be opportunities for you to have a stretch and to move your head around at certain stages of the procedure.

How long before I know that the operation has been a success?
With a local anaesthetic the hearing improvement should be apparent at the end of the operation. Otherwise you may not notice much improvement until the pack comes out after two weeks. It may takes some weeks for the hearing to settle but by six weeks after the operation the result is usually fairly stable.

Can I have the operation done on both ears?
It is quite common for otosclerosis to affect both ears, but usually the hearing in one ear is worse than the other. It is customary to operate on the worse hearing ear first. Surgery on the second ear should not be considered until a stable result has been achieved on the first side.  Some surgeons would never consider operating on both ears and the reason for this is the very small but always present risk of hearing loss developing in any ear that has undergone stapedectomy.  However increasingly people are having bilateral surgery but this should always done with the patient fully aware of the risks.

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