Effect of stapedotomy in otosclerosis patients with advanced hearing loss

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of the surgery in otosclerosis patients with advanced hearing loss. Methods: The charts of 28 patients (30 ears) operated for otosclerosis with mean air conduction threshold greater than 70 dB and followed at least for three months were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative mean air and bone conduction thresholds, mean air bone gaps and speech discrimination scores were compared. Results: There were 15 female, 13 male and mean age was 51.2 +/- 11.7. Preoperative mean bone conduction threshold was 38 +/- 14 dB, mean air conduction threshold was 82 +/- 13 dB, mean air-bone gap was 44 +/- 8 dB and mean speech discrimination score was 79 +/- 18%. These results were 26 +/- 14 dB, 46 +/- 18 dB, 20 +/- 9 dB and 93 +/- 8% respectively on postoperative third month. Conclusion: A significant improvement in hearing thresholds after stapedotomy in otosclerosis patients with advanced hearing loss was observed. It was detected that surgery was effective in operable otosclerosis patients with advanced hearing loss.