Reading time is 3 mins
.
.
WHAT IS OTOSCLEROSIS’ DISEASE?
This week I want to tell you about Otosclerosis, an ear disease that you have probably never heard of before.
The ‘Otosclerosis Disease’, which requires many patients to consult a doctor, can lead to problems such as inability to hear whispers and light sounds, ringing in the ear and hearing loss, occurs as a result of calcifications in the middle ear, the bones behind the eardrum, in some special areas. If left untreated, it can lead to the point of stopping the work and social lives of patients.
1- Otosclerosis Patients Hear Better in a Crowd!
Otosclerosis disease, known as ”inner ear calcification”, is one of the common causes of hearing loss. Otosclerosis is a disease that can be treated, destroys the inner ear nerves only when the disease progresses, and often leads to hearing loss because it blocks sound transmission.
There is a genetic transmission of the disease through the family. In other words, people with this disease in family members are more prone to the disease. In addition, it is more common in women compared to men. It usually gives symptoms in young adulthood (20-30 years old), when hearing in one or both ears gradually begins to decrease. Sometimes ringing in the ear, rarely mild dizziness accompanies this hearing loss.
Hearing loss increases more and more with each passing year. These people, unlike other hearing loss diseases, are exposed to crowds and noisy environments (at weddings, nightclubs, etc. when they talk to someone, they hear better than usual.
2- Movement Restriction Occurs in the Stirrup Bone
In otosclerosis disease, solidification occurs as a result of structural calcification on the wall where the stirrup bone is adjacent to the inner ear. In this case, restriction of movement occurs in the stirrup bone. Due to this, sound waves cannot be transmitted to the inner ear fluids at an adequate level, and hearing loss called ‘transmission type’ occurs.
Only sounds cannot be transmitted while the inner ear is intact. But in the later stages of the disease, this calcification can also affect the inner ear wall, and neural-type hearing loss can also occur. The extent of hearing loss may vary with the severity of calcification. In addition to the effects of light sounds such as inaudibility, ringing, there may also be effects such as dizziness and balance problems.
3- There are 2 Stages of the Disease!
The treatment of otosclerosis, which is a special type of ear calcification, is divided into early and late stage 2. Since calcification has not yet fully formed in the early stage, the patient can be followed up with hearing tests. During this period, also known as the soft stage, the patient may be given tablets containing sodium fluoride and the progression of the disease may be slowed down.
But in a condition where the calcification progresses and is known as late stage, hearing loss affects the patient’s social life, and the treatment method for patients is now surgery.
4- A ’Teflon Piston’ Is Inserted into the Ear
There are currently 3 forms of treatment for the disease. These patients can use hearing aids and get good results. However, this method does not stop the progression of the disease and requires lifelong use.
The second treatment option is the use of medication. Various medications can be used for this. However, these are recommended to reduce active periods when the disease progresses rapidly. It does not make hearing better and is not used constantly. In other words, they have limited places in the treatment of the disease.
At the stage when surgical intervention is determined for treatment, the operation performed for the treatment of otosclerosis disease is switched to. The name of this surgery is ‘stapedectomy’ surgery. A prosthesis, which we usually call a ‘teflon piston’, is placed in place of the stirrup bone in a stationary state. The hooked upper part of the prosthesis is hung on the anvil bone.
Thus, the sound vibrations coming to the bone reach the inner ear fluids through the hole opened to the stirrup base through this prosthesis and hearing is restored by creating waves in this fluid. This surgery, which requires specialization, is performed using advanced surgical microscopes, sometimes with the help of a laser.
5- Do Not Go on a Trip Without Getting Dizzy
Possible symptoms after surgery may manifest themselves as dizziness.
Sometimes nausea and vomiting may also accompany dizziness, but this is a temporary condition. The pain rarely occurs and is mild. In the early postoperative period, patients should avoid traveling by plane and car, diving and movements such as heavy lifting until the dizziness has completely passed.
I wish you healthy days…
ENT, HEAD and Neck Surgery Specialist Antalya MedicalPark Hospital
Assoc. Dr.
.
.
Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.