A few months ago, I didn't even know what otosclerosis o...
Posted , 2 users are following.
A few months ago, I didn't even know what otosclerosis or a stapedectomy were. A friend mentioned that her hearing had been degenerating for 10 years and that she had spent over £10,000 on hearing aids during that time. Her audiograms were getting worse and she too was told that surgery was a risky procedure with 1% chance of going deaf... the prospect of going deaf at 40 it made her feel quite down.
I decided to look into it and spoke to old doctor friend of mine who knows most of the good (and not so good!) surgeons in France. He put me in touch with a very good ORL surgeon specialised in auditive problems and my friend came down to see him for a check-up and to see what could be done. He was astounded by her audiograms and said that she should never have been fitted with hearing aids given that her inner ear was fine and that the loss of hearing was basically a mechanical problems easily resolved with a stapedectomy . He even went as far as to say that if he had referred her to a hearing clinic for aids, they would have seriously questioned his competence!
He then went on to say that 1% chance of total hearing loss and the idea that the operation may only be good for a few years was valid...but 15 years ago. Nowadays it is around 0.2% in France overall, that is to say including good/bad surgeons, other complications etc. Personally he has been doing 20-25 stapedectomies a year and has never had a patient lose their hearing (touch wood!) or have to wear aids. The procedure itself takes about an hour and no overnight stay is required.
Needless to say, my friend is really thrilled and is planning to have her first stapedectomy before Xmas when work calms down (otherwise there would be no waiting time!).
The French medical system is undoubtedly one of the best in the world but the language barrier and laws prohibiting advertising of medical services make it difficult for Brits to get information and to take advantage of it. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you are considering it and need help or information.
[i:ded82fb8ff]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:ded82fb8ff]
1 like, 4 replies
Guest
Posted
your friend's story really lifted me up, I feel more confident now to go a head with the operation, could you be so kind and give me the name and the contact number of the surgeon in France if you can.
Many thanks
Shady
[i:4848f72316]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:4848f72316]
Guest
Posted
i am very interested by your comment because I plan to go to France for a reintervention .I live in canada and the operation was not a success(was done in 19997).could you tell me the name of your surgeon?many thanks
[i:9eed890e00]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:9eed890e00]
Guest
Posted
Your comments are so uplifting and back up my thoughts that a good surgeon almost has the operation down to a fine art? However for legal reasons has to paint a poor picture?
I have two hearing aids but thankfully perfect inner ear hearing and am 39 years old. I would love to say a farewell to my hearing problems and wondered if you could send me the name and hospital of your surgeon.
Is the procedure expensive? I guess next to £2500 per aid fairly cost effective.
Looking forward to your reply,
Andrew
[i:3b2a7b43c6]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:3b2a7b43c6]
Julie_Fagan
Posted
I saw the surgeon at Queen's Hospital Burton on Trent, Mr John Oates. If you google his name you'll be able to read some of his research articles.
I had become very deaf and had started lip reading classes. The therapist persuaded me to see Mr Oates and hear about the newer operation.
Mr Oates was very patient with all my questions, showed me a video clip to explain the operation and put me in touch with someone who had been through the process. Finally I decided I had very little to lose as my hearing had become so bad. (I developed otosclerosis soon after the birth of my second child 30 plus years ago.)
It was an amazing experience to hear floor boards creaking, the noise I made in the kitchen!, two of my children muttering comments to one another! The look of surprise on their faces was very amusing.
I had the second ear operation last year with similar success. I have some natural hearing loss which means I use a hearing aid when in large spaces like our local church, using the loop system.
I am still so thankful not to be wearing hearing aids all day, straining to hear what people are saying and giving up in noisy places. I just wished I'd had the operations sooner.
So if you have otosclerosis and enough natural hearing that there would be an improvement I hope you consider the operation and get referred to one of the expert surgeons in our own country.