title: Otosclerosis in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The focus of this paper is on the changing patterns of presentation of otosclerosis over the past 37 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private otology practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized selection of 400 patients (100 per decade) from 15,372 who underwent stapedectomy over the past four decades.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extent of cochlear involvement, bilaterality of disease, length of history, degree of hearing loss, and pathological findings are noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The decreasing incidence of footplates necessitating drillouts is discussed. Changing audiometric patterns at presentation such as decreased pure-tone average hearing thresholds and smaller air-bone gaps are also reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review demonstrates the changing patterns of presentation of otosclerosis over the past 37 years and will help guide the stapes surgeon into the year 2000.
authors.affiliation: Warren Otologic Group, Ohio 44484, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lippy
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Berenholz
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burkey
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors