Bone conduction thresholds in patients with otosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with otosclerosis is commonly encountered. This study was conducted to determine if surgery on the otosclerotic ear had an effect on the sensorineural hearing.


METHODS
A cohort of 262 patients subjected to operation in 311 ears were evaluated. All patients had a minimum of 5 years follow-up and patients over 60 years of age were excluded. Audiograms obtained 1 day before surgery were compared with those obtained 1 year postoperatively and at the last follow-up examination in the study. Results were evaluated using the Student's t test for statistical analysis of hearing results.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 9.6 years. Deterioration of bone conduction scores occurred in 6.4% of 311 operated ears. Deterioration of bone conduction threshold occurred in the speech frequency in 6 ears (1.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Bone conduction scores of operated ears remained quite stable compared with the otosclerotic ears not subjected to operation. Patients with bilateral otosclerosis may benefit from surgery performed on both ears when indicated.
Vartiainen
E
E
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Karjalainen
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery