Otospongiosis
What is Otospongiosis?
Otospongiosis is a condition that causes the middle air of the ear cavity to become hardened and calcified. This causes a partial obstruction of the air circulation, which can cause hearing loss. It is a fairly rare condition, with most sufferers being men aged 50 to 70.
Symptoms of Otospongiosis
Symptoms of otospongiosis can include:
- Hearing loss
- Persistent earache
- Ringing of the ears
- Difficulty in maintaining balance
- Dizziness
Causes of Otospongiosis
Otospongiosis is caused by a combination of factors including:
- Age-related structural changes in the middle ear
- Cigarette smoking
- Exposure to loud noise over a prolonged period
- Certain medications
- Infections of the ear
- Head trauma
- Genetic predisposition
Treatment of Otospongiosis
The treatment of otospongiosis is aimed at improving the patient’s hearing and relieving symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Hearing aids
- Surgery to remove the calcified material from the middle ear
- Antibiotics if an infection is present
- Corticosteroid injections
- Vascular and neurologic therapies to improve blood flow and reduce tinnitus
- Cochlear implants
Prevention
There are several measures you can take to reduce your risk or severity of otospongiosis:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noise
- Quit smoking
- Wear ear protection when necessary
- Avoid drugs that can damage the ear
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor