Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStapedectomy DefinedPurposePreparationWhat to Expect on the Day of SurgeryRecoveryLong-Term CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stapedectomy Defined
Purpose
Preparation
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Recovery
Long-Term Care
Frequently Asked Questions
The human ear consists of three parts: the inner ear, middle ear, and outer ear. There are bones in the middle ear called theossicles, which carry sound vibrations from theeardrum(tympanic membrane) to the inner ear (oval window) so that sound can be sent to the brain.
As the ossicles vibrate, the fluid of the inner ear moves behind the oval window and the brain understands that movement as sound. The three ossicle bones are called the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus), and the stirrup bone (stapes). The stapes bone is the smallest bone in the human body.Otosclerosisis a condition in which abnormal bone overgrowth of the ossicles causes the bones to fuse together, limiting vibrations. As a result, the ossicles cannot transmit sound, causing hearing loss. Otosclerosis more commonly affects both ears, but it can affect just one ear. This condition is treated withstapedectomy.
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What Is Stapedectomy Surgery?
A stapedectomy is performed to remove the diseased stapes and replace it with an artificial implant. The surgery takes about 90 minutesand the steps of the surgery are as follows:
Stapedectomy middle ear surgery is for both children and adults. It is a scheduled outpatient elective surgery, meaning most people go home after having the surgery. If otosclerosis affects both ears, the ear with poorer hearing will be operated on first, with surgery on the other ear taking place at a later date.
Contraindications
The surgeon will determine if someone is an appropriate candidate for surgery. You are not a good candidate for stapedectomy surgery if you have:
What Is Low-Frequency Hearing Loss?
Potential Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks to undergoing stapedectomy surgery:
Stapedectomy vs. Hearing Aids for Otorosclerosis
Purpose of Stapedectomy Surgery
People diagnosed with otosclerosis that has caused hearing loss may qualify for stapedectomy. Early symptoms of otosclerosis include difficulty hearing in conversations, while chewing, or in noisy environments.
How to Prepare
The surgeon will use local anesthesia and apply numbing medication to the ear that’s being operated on. This allows the surgeon to check your hearing at the end of the surgery.
The surgery is estimated to last about 90 minutes.After the surgery, patients are monitored in the recovery room for a short period of time until they are sent home.
Your hearing may be better immediately after the surgery. It should improve dramatically over the next few weeks to months.There may be feelings of fullness in your ear while the ear is healing.
Packing is removed from the ear one to two weeks after the surgery. It is normal to experience bloody fluid draining from the ear for one to three days following the removal of the packing. It is important to not get water in the ear in the first few days following the surgery. You will notice a sensitivity to noise as you recover, so noisy environments should be avoided.
Stapedectomy recovery time is different for each person, but there are standard precautions everyone should take as they heal. For at least one week after surgery, patients should avoid:
Do not submerge your ears under water for at least four to six weeks. When showering, wear a soft silicone earplug that does not go deep into the ear to prevent water from getting in the ears.
Summary
Stapedectomy is performed to help improve hearing for people who have otosclerosis, in which abnormal bones grow around the stapes. During the procedure, a surgeon replaces your stapes with a prosthesis. It’s an outpatient, elective procedure, so you will go home the same day after the surgery is completed. Hearing aids are an alternative treatment for people who don’t want to undergo surgery.
A Word From Verywell
Otosclerosis is a condition that affects the middle ear bones, leading to progressive hearing loss. While stapedectomy has some risks, it is a highly successful surgery that can permanently restore hearing for people diagnosed with otosclerosis. The risks and benefits of surgery should be discussed before proceeding with surgery.
Does stapedectomy improve hearing?
Yes. Typically, 90% of patients have significantly better hearing after the surgery.A small percentage of patients will recover only partial hearing, have no change in hearing level, or have worse hearing after the surgery. Hearing aids can help improve hearing for people who do not want to undergo surgery or are not good candidates for surgery.
What helps with sleep after stapedectomy?
Rest whenever you feel tired and get plenty of sleep after surgery. Use two to three pillows to elevate your head, or sleep in a reclining chair to keep your head elevated.
Is a stapedectomy prosthesis permanent?
Yes, a stapedectomy prosthesis is considered a permanent implant. Rarely, some patients require revision surgery.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Stapedectomy.Mount Sinai.Otosclerosis and stapedectomy.Gillard DM, Harris JP.Cost-effectiveness of Stapedectomy vs Hearing Aids in the Treatment of Otosclerosis.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2020;146(1):42–48. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3221Toscano ML, Shermetaro C.Stapedectomy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.My Health Alberta.Stapedectomy: What to expect at home.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Stapedectomy.Mount Sinai.Otosclerosis and stapedectomy.Gillard DM, Harris JP.Cost-effectiveness of Stapedectomy vs Hearing Aids in the Treatment of Otosclerosis.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2020;146(1):42–48. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3221Toscano ML, Shermetaro C.Stapedectomy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.My Health Alberta.Stapedectomy: What to expect at home.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Stapedectomy.Mount Sinai.Otosclerosis and stapedectomy.Gillard DM, Harris JP.Cost-effectiveness of Stapedectomy vs Hearing Aids in the Treatment of Otosclerosis.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2020;146(1):42–48. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3221Toscano ML, Shermetaro C.Stapedectomy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.My Health Alberta.Stapedectomy: What to expect at home.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Stapedectomy.
Mount Sinai.Otosclerosis and stapedectomy.
Gillard DM, Harris JP.Cost-effectiveness of Stapedectomy vs Hearing Aids in the Treatment of Otosclerosis.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2020;146(1):42–48. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3221
Toscano ML, Shermetaro C.Stapedectomy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
My Health Alberta.Stapedectomy: What to expect at home.
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