Imaging of Conductive Hearing Loss With a Normal Tympanic Membrane.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents an approach to imaging conductive hearing loss in patients with normal tympanic membranes and discusses entities that should be checked as the radiologist evaluates this potentially complicated issue.


CONCLUSIONS
Conductive hearing loss in a patient with a normal tympanic membrane is a complicated condition that requires a careful imaging approach. Imaging should focus on otosclerosis, and possible mimics and potential surgical considerations should be evaluated. The radiologist should examine the ossicular chain and the round window and keep in mind that a defect in the superior semicircular canal can disturb the hydraulic integrity of the labyrinth.
1 Department of Radiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114.
Hugh D
HD
Curtin
D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane
conductive hearing; ear; hearing loss; tympanic membrane