Question:
Hello,
I had successful bilateral stapedectomy (right ear in 1995, left ear 1996) with hearing in the normal range post op. I started losing my hearing in my right ear again after I had my son in 2001 and 2 attempts at revision, the latest in 2004. My revision surgeon in Albany NY stated that my incus bone was cracked which is why the prosthesis is not staying put. I do not want to get surgery again in Albany, and am looking for the top surgeon in this field as my hearing is at 90 decibels and my ear has been ringing loudly 24/7 for at least 10 years. Is there anything new that can help me?
Thank you for your inquiry. It sounds like you’ve been through quite a bit with your ear. At your level of hearing loss, there may not be simple options. Are you getting any benefit from traditional hearing aids? Considering the details you’ve provided, there are some cases that can be remedied surgically, using the Malleus bone instead of the Incus. Of course, I can’t be certain that your condition would allow for this without further information, but it may be worth considering.
The next step would be careful analysis of your current audiometry, the prior surgical reports, and a detailed CT scan.
I would be happy to assist you, if you like.
best of luck and thanks for your question
Associate Professor, Dept of Otolaryngology
SUNY Downstate
Brooklyn, New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing loss after a stapedectomy can occur due to several reasons including displacement or failure of the prosthesis, damage to the ossicles such as a cracked incus bone, or other middle ear complications. In this case, a cracked incus bone prevented the prosthesis from staying in place, leading to renewed hearing loss.
Revision surgeries can sometimes be successful but become more challenging if the incus bone is damaged, such as being cracked. Alternatives like attaching the prosthesis to the malleus bone instead of the incus may be considered depending on the patient's specific condition and further diagnostic imaging.
Before considering another surgery, it is important to conduct a thorough analysis of the current audiometry results, review previous surgical reports, and perform a detailed CT scan of the ear. These steps help determine the exact cause of hearing loss and guide the best treatment options.
For patients with significant hearing loss after multiple surgeries, traditional hearing aids might still provide some benefit. Other options depend on the specific condition of the ear, but sometimes the hearing loss may be too severe for simple solutions without further surgical intervention.
It is recommended to consult with a top otolaryngologist or ear specialist experienced in stapedectomy and ear surgeries. Sharing previous audiometry data and surgical reports will help them provide personalized treatment advice, including whether another revision surgery is possible.
