Clinical otosclerosis, prevalence estimates and spontaneous progress

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Otosclerosis is a bone disease affecting the middle ear, potentially leading to hearing loss.
• Understanding the prevalence, hearing characteristics, and progression of otosclerosis is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of clinical otosclerosis by age and gender.
• To characterize hearing levels in individuals with otosclerosis.
• To describe the spontaneous progression of hearing impairment in otosclerosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 556 patients from an audiological department.
• Sample divided into age bands: 20-39, 40-59, and ≥60 years.
• Analysis of hearing levels (BEHL/WEHL 0.5-4 kHz) and comparison between operated and non-operated ears.

Main Results:

• Overall prevalence of clinical otosclerosis was 1.41/1,000, higher in females (1.85/1,000) than males (0.9/1,000).
• Prevalence increased significantly with age, particularly in the elderly (3.53/1,000).
• Hearing impairment was moderate until age 60, with operated ears showing significantly better hearing levels than non-operated ears.

Conclusions:

• Clinical otosclerosis demonstrates a higher prevalence in females and increases with age.
• Hearing levels in otosclerosis patients are generally moderate until age 60.
• Surgical intervention for otosclerosis appears to result in improved hearing outcomes compared to non-surgical management.