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Hi there, I had my stapedectomy operation done in Decem...

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Hi there,

I had my stapedectomy operation done in December 2006 and thought I'd share my experience with anyone who might be considering this operation and sprawling patient forums as I did.

I was 60% deaf in my right ear and had early signs of otosclerosis in my left ear. I decided to go ahead with the opeartion largely because insurance doesn't cover hearing aids. My specialist was Mr. J A Lavy who I can't recommend enough. He explained that there was a 1% chance of total hearing loss and 10% chance that my hearing wouldn't improve and as others have mentioned they may not be able to do the operation should my facial nerve be in the way.

I had the operation done under local anaesthetic and was also given a sedative. I have to say the most painful part of the whole experience was the injections in my ear but they are over in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately my ear canal was too narrow so they had to make an incision in the top of my ear but that really wasn't a big deal and has left the tiniest of scares. I watched the operation as it was being done through their camera which was quite reassuring as there were a lot of loud noises as they chipped away at bone etc. I fell asleep as they were doing the laser bit and came round after they had sewn up my ear drum. The advantage of them doing it under local was that they could do a mini test on my hearing there and then.

I felt extremely dizzy after the op - don't underestimate how dizzy u'll feel. I think that it is a little under played on a lot of these sites about how rotten you'll feel for the next day or so. I ended up staying in the hospital overnight.

My recovery took a week and it was a week of very squelchy noises, having to have someone wash my hair (you musn't get it wet) and restless nights as obviously it's too painful to lye on the operated ear.

Once the padding came out (2 weeks) everything was defeaningly loud and had a tinny quality about it but that settled down over the following two weeks. But I would be prepared to negotiate your social life for this period as I found that going out a bit of an overwhelming experience as I found my sense of sound direction was completely off.

Yesterday I had my hearing tested, you have to wait 6 weeks in total before it's testable, the results were fantastic I now have a normal right ear and can use the phone on that ear and hear what people are actually saying rather than just pretending to understand.

There is a small chance that I may have to have the piston replaced years from now as I am only 25 and so it may wear out also I may need to have the left ear operated on in time but I don't see this as a major issue considering how well my first op went.

The things that I have been told I wont be able to do post op is scuba diving and sky diving (shucks!)

Well that's it - hope that's helpful!

[i:0f5ba42d8b]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:0f5ba42d8b]

5 likes, 204 replies

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  • kelsey52064
    kelsey52064 Guest

    Posted

    I really hope everyone on this thread keeps us updated.. I've been reading replies since I was diagnosed with otosclerosis on the 21st of last month. I've had tinnitus since I was 15.. and recently got pregnant and had an abortion. After the abortion my ears felt clogged and my tinnitus worsened. I have an extremely loud high pitched ringing in my left ear that never goes away along with conductive hearing loss in both ears. My doctor told me a stapedectomy was a cure.. but the more I read about the procedure the more afraid I am that is might not be such a perfect solution. I am terrified of worsening my hearing.. I never though I'd have to make such a decision at the age of 21. But I am wondering.. does anyone in this thread have the disease in both ears, as I do? Is it possible to get the procedure done in both ears or is it not usually done? I am so scared to have surgery.. I am considering just relying on hearing aids. I just don't know what to do and I am very afraid.. it gives me hope seeing others posting about their experience though. You are all brave and amazing people.
    • janete84732
      janete84732 kelsey52064

      Posted

      Hi Kelsey, I would definitely recommend to have the Stapedectomy if you have otosclerosis specially at your age. If one have Otosclerosis in one ear it is just a matter of time that it will go to the other ear. so have just one ear done first and then a year or so later have the other if it is also demaged. That's what I would suggest. My right ear is ok right now but slowly progressing to full otosclerosis. I would think that in 10 years I would be ready for the surgery on my right ear as well. Since the surgery 5 weeks ago I can already hear better from my operated ear and it will get better and better once it heals. Hearing aids for me worked at the beginning but didn't work anymore after a while. I didn't like the lifestyle of wearing it either so I rarely wore it. Don't be afraid but just research a good surgeon that has done many of it and specialize in ear only with a good track record of success for the procedure. Ask how many they have done. The more the better.
    • jenny87956
      jenny87956 kelsey52064

      Posted

      Kelsey.  I had this surgery on one of my ear (other one is also bad but going to hold off for as long as I can) seven weeks ago.  I had absolutely no issues.  No side effects.  I 'think' people with good experience don't come on these board to post their good outcome.

      I would recommend a Doctor that done PLENTY of this type of surgery!

    • kelsey52064
      kelsey52064 janete84732

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply.. I will probably just go ahead with surgery then.. I really don't want hearing aids, I've just been afraid to have surgery for the first time. My doctor wants to wait until August and then go over options. I don't know why I have to wait. I hope I can find a good surgeon.. I'll just have to ask I guess. Having a prosthetic makes me nervous though.. I hope it doesn't slip out of place easily. I have read that the procedure can worsen tinnitus too.. which is scary since mine is already very loud. Have you experienced worse tinnitus? I can hear a very loud ring and sometimes my pulse. I also get occasional stabbing pain on the inside of my ear. Anyone else experience pain before surgery? I'm happy there are people I can talk to with the same disease I have.. no one I know has heard of it and my doctor hasn't said much. I worry all the time.. but you guys seem to be doing okay and that makes me feel better. Anyone know if there's anywhere else I can go to talk to or read about others with otosclerosis?
    • navidnassir
      navidnassir kelsey52064

      Posted

      Hi kelsey im 27 from iran. I had my stapedectomy surgery last week. I was afraid also because i have panic disorder so I thought i would die in the middle of surgery but when you have a lot of problems, adding a hearing loss would make you go for some peace and quiet so when you choose to make a surgery do it with courage and bravery

      There is no side effect for me except i cant taste food so good which i heard is normal up to 2 weeks after the surgery. Tomorrow I am going to the ent to check the first progress of my hearing.

    • aml2522
      aml2522 navidnassir

      Posted

      Hi, I also had the surgery two weeks ago. Everything was "normal" (terrible 1st. week). But, after the doctor removed the gel packing, I started with some sounds. The worse thing is they increase a lot when my 8 months old baby cry.

      I'm waiting some more weeks. I don't know if this is my perception only but I've realized docs didn't say exactly how the post op will be.

    • lm80
      lm80 aml2522

      Posted

      The odd sounds are normal. In my experience,  it was distortion and echoing sounds. Very very odd.  It all went away.  It's just your ear getting used to the prosthetic.  I was told to protect the ears in loud situations with ear plugs for the first month or so.  Actually, we should do that ALL the time,  healthy and unhealthy ears.  It's amazing the beating we put our ear drums through every day!

  • tbro1124
    tbro1124 Guest

    Posted

    Hello, I am so happy I found this message board. I am preparing for my second stapedectomy suugery in June, my first was last August and was unsuccessful. I am very anxious and very nervous . I hope it works this time, as my head did not improve at all.
    • lm80
      lm80 tbro1124

      Posted

      So your hearing didn't improve?  Any Tinnitus?  Did you find a new doctor?
    • AgentRaj
      AgentRaj tbro1124

      Posted

      Hi,

      What happended during the last surgery?  First time I've read on here about getting the surgery again due to some failure.

      I hope its successful this time around.

    • tbro1124
      tbro1124 AgentRaj

      Posted

      Hi there not really sure why it failed. Just knew my hearing got worse since the surgery so reluctantly I went for a Second opinion. And it was confirmed that the surgery failed but he didn't know why so he sent me for a ct of the operated ear. The same day I got a call back saying I needed another surgery. I see him on the 10th and he will go over everything with me and I will post my progress.I have a feeling my ent messed up.my ear hasn't been the same and now at 50 years old I'm getting so many ear infections in that ear.
    • guy04543
      guy04543 tbro1124

      Posted

      Get a new ENT, since he was not forward in telling the truth, and for a Doctor to say he is not sure why it failed, too many apparant flags.Right after my surgery, hearing was restored immediately. The procedure is simple and the prosthetic was not attached properly to the footplate of the stape.Ear infections cause by water entering the surgical ear.
    • AgentRaj
      AgentRaj tbro1124

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that.

      I would suggest reading online reviews and asking others in same area about your ENTs success rate.  That being said, it's possible that ENT is highly qualified with vast experience and your's just happened to be one of the 5% failure case (as advised by my ENT surgeon).  The prosthetic stape could've shifted or lost its "grip" on the bone due to various reasons.

      I had my surgery on Mar 21st and have no issues except for slightly tightness and hardness around the ear, which should resolve itself in few months, as per the ENT.

      Hopefully your  "re-surgery" is successful and you can get your hearing back. Wishing you all the best.

    • tbro1124
      tbro1124 AgentRaj

      Posted

      Thank you.I never had a prosthetic put in he went in and repaired my own bone..And yes I am one of the 5%
    • stephen46199
      stephen46199 AgentRaj

      Posted

      Hi agent raj..

      Has you're hearing now returned back up to the normal range after surgery?

    • AgentRaj
      AgentRaj stephen46199

      Posted

      Hi,

      Sorry I've been busy and haven't had time to be on here in a while.

      My hearing is fine and all "tinny-ness" is gone.  The ear always feels a bit "full" (for lack of better description) but hearing is good.  The skin around the incision has become normal without any hardness.

      I do find that some sounds are quite loud like the wind or tire noise from the car.  The ENT had advised some of those issues should be fixed once my right ear is operated on later this year and the sounds become more balanced between both ears. Lets see how that goes.

    • rinku1321
      rinku1321 tbro1124

      Posted

      Hi tbro

      have u done your second operation? and what is your experiece?

    • AgentRaj
      AgentRaj rinku1321

      Posted

      Hello,

      Sorry about lonnnng delay.  Right ear Stapedotomy was done Jan 09/18.  I'll know how successful it is once packing will be removed Jan 22nd.

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