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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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  • moxham07
    moxham07 Guest

    Posted

    i had my ear operation 10days ago and the pain and pressure was pretty mild, finished my antibiotics(day 5). day 8 i woke up 1am in pain and as more pressure in my ear possibly swelling and it hurt to open my jaw or move my head from side to side.( i say it felt like a wisdom tooth coming threw my ear) i checked my cotton woll and there was alot more blood than days before. yesterday i went to see a doctor where they cleaned my ear and found a normal amount of blood. He put peroxide around the ear, since then it has started feeling better and the pressure has gone down. day 10 i am stil experiencing loud ringing in the ear and it doesnt really seem as my hearing has gotten any better, hoping that the prosthetic bone hasnt dislodged or the swelling didnt hurt me eardrum...

    - has anybody else experienced similar pain after there stapedectomy operation and how did it go afterwards ? 

    - has anybodies bone become dislodged and what did it feel like ? 

    I am seeing my doctor again tommorow so i will stay posted with what he says.

    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 moxham07

      Posted

      Wow scary! I had an issue but it was not dislodging, the part was too big and caused vertigo. Then the second operation left bubbles in an airtight area and I'm dizzy from that. Please keep us posted, since it's been a short time since the operation, I wonder if they will need to reopen to check it? My hearing took a few months to determine if it was better, metallic sounds and ringing were at least 2-3 weeks ...all of the blood and swelling and packing needed to dissolve. It's not 100%, but much better! My dizziness is my problem, I think they really messed my inner ear up. I go tomorrow for 3rd followup and the dr will not like what I have to say about my life being affected by being to unstable on my feet as compared to before the two surgeries. Let us know if yours dislodged, and what they say about what occurred to you.

  • Smoukka
    Smoukka Guest

    Posted

    Hello, I had my stapedectomy 2 days ago. I was asked to put in 2 drops 3 times a day, one of the times I put much more than 2 drops accidentally and it stayed overnight. Is it as bad as getting it wet? Should I worry about it?
    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 Smoukka

      Posted

      How is it now? Did it turn out ok using those drops? My imbalance is still an issue now a year post double surguries(per my old post).  So i am getting a third drs opinion, second surgeon actually, as soon as they finish paperwork and get me in. They don’t know what is causing the continued imbalance....but it’s 100% from the botched stapendectomies.   Hope yours is much better.
  • joannesstapedec
    joannesstapedec Guest

    Posted

    Hi there, I am 47 yes old and just had a stapedectomy procedure done Thursday Nov 23rd,2017. at Hotel Dieu Hospital Kingston by Dr.Beyea. I was at the hospital at 12:00 and the procedure was at 2pm. It took about 1.5hrs for the procedure. I was at the hospital for a total of 6hrs. 12-6pm. I was diagnosed in Sept 2017 with Ottosclerosis in both ears. It took 8 mths for that specialist appointment.  I noticed that I was having trouble hearing since my car accident in 2005. It kept getting worse over the years. The procedure went well. I had someone at work that had an ear procedure done just a month ago and gave me some advice. She said make sure you tie your hair up out of the way because you cannot wash your hair for at least 3 days. She did not and had dry caked on blood in her hair for days. She said make sure to buy a few tubes of polysborn at Costco and a bag of cotton balls at dollar store.  She said place polysborn on a cotton ball at least 2x a day and put on the incision on the back of the ear. She said if you shower place a good amount of polysborn and place on a cotton ball in the ear to avoid any water getting in. It’s very important not to get any water in the ear for at least 4-6weeks. It’s better to wash your hair in the kitchen sink and have baths instead of a shower. As far as medication after my surgery I was prescribed Tylenol 3’s, I took 2 pills every 3hrs. They gave me only 15 in the prescription. I also took 1(400mg tablet of Ibuprofen to reduce swelling every 6hrs. I am also taking Senokot for constapation due to taking Tylenol 3’s. I have changed the cotton ball every day just 1x a day as I didn’t have much blood coming out of ear. It is day 3 after surgery and I am out of Tylenol 3’s but I’m good no pain just a bit of pressure in my left ear. When I took the tylenol 3’s it made me very light headed and unbalanced. You will not be able to drive of course when your on them. However I did notice I had a very dry mouth and the left side of my tongue looks rippled like my bottom teeth have left a perminent rippled mark on the side of my tongue. You need to sleep elevated as much as possible and you are not to look down, your to keep your head up. If you need to bend down...you bend with your knees but look up, you may need help from family or friends while you are healing as there is so much you cannot do. No lifting ! nothing strenuous! It’s time to sit back and relax and sleep as much as you can so you can heal. I sleep with 2 pillows to stay elevated. Around the house I wear a kneck pillow that you would wear to sleep in a long car ride just to remind me not to look down. I always hang on to things when I walk because you will feel dizzy and light headed. On the couch I use a pillow in front of me to place my phone up high. I also place my laptop on a high pillow on my lap. Get a table next to your couch with everything you need so you don’t have to get up too often. Get as much rest as possible, drink lots of fluids. I have a follow up appointment on Dec 21st. I hope and pray it was a success as it’s too soon to know this early on. Hope this information helps other people considering this procedure. 

    Joanne from Kingston Ontario

    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 joannesstapedec

      Posted

      Great details! It’s been a year since i started/joined this blog. I still have imbalance after a ‘too large’ implant was installed then ‘fixed’. Gas/air bubbles were the second operation issue and apparently those are gone and i still have imbalance. The ringing and high pitched sounds lasted about a month and are completely gone. My hearing is better as well. Always a silver lining, but off to a specialist to figure out my balance problems.  Continued healing for you!
    • joannesstapedec
      joannesstapedec joanne8798

      Posted

      Hi Joanne8798!

      Thanks I’m a bit nervous now after hearing your story and moxham07. Where are you both from and who was your surgeon? I did a lot of research before my surgery and made sure Dr Beyea had alot of experience with this surgery. I heard lots of good comments about him including a coworkers that had it done a month ago. So I felt comfortable with the entire procedure. All I can do now is hope and pray it all goes good from here. I have a full time and a parttime job that I need to get back to in 3 weeks. I hope I will not have any complications! I also play volleyball 2x a week and will have to stay away from that activity for at least 4-6weeks and try really hard not to get hit in the head with the ball.

       I hope that you all get better and they find what’s causing your complications so you can go in with your daily activities.

      Please keep me posted as it’s very interesting to hear other people’s point of view on this proecedure. 

      Joanne 

      Kingston Ontario

    • joannesstapedec
      joannesstapedec

      Posted

      Correction ...I took 2 tylenol 3’s every 4hrs not 3. 
    • pondwater62
      pondwater62 joanne8798

      Posted

      Hello Joanne. I've been following your informing comments from beginning and would like to thank you for educating me. Hope you are still actively writing on this portal. I am considering stapedectomy surgery this fall and have a couple of questions for you. I am a retired army veteran and was injured which caused hearing loss over twenty or so years ago. My doctor says I am a good candidate for the surgery, and all Cat Scans/MRI test came out good. I've developed tinnitus over the years and was wondering if your experience tinnitus prior to your surgery got better or worse?  

    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 pondwater62

      Posted

      Hello Pondwater62! If your Dr says you are a good candidate i would go for it.  My tinnitus is Now minimal, similar to before.  It was not a huge problem for me.

      My balance is still off but i believe it was due to surgical error.  Rare and STILL I’m happy i can hear.  You would never know about my off-balance as I’ve learned through physical therapy to live with it.

      The tin-like ringing lasted a very short time (I’ve actually forgotten, so you will too👍wink.  This is just a part of your hearing returning.  I’m actually considering getting my right ear done but not sure, with my vertigo complications, if a surgeon will attempt it.

      There’s another joanne on this thread, so hopefully I’ve been helpful or maybe she’s the one you need to message? Either way i was not participating here lately but will hop back on anytime now that there is an active conversation directly to me.  Have a great day!   Joanne8798

    • pondwater62
      pondwater62 joanne8798

      Posted

      Hello again Joanne. Thanks so much for your expeditious  response. And yes, it was you whom I needed to refer my question to. I read all your comment to include the very first one because of your initial experience with tinnitus before and after your surgery. I also read every other individual's comments who wrote on this site. Just trying to really get as much info as possible before my surgery. To be quite honest, I am really scared. LOL.... l really do appreciate you providing such a wealth of critical knowledge and enlightenment on the issue. I am sure there are many others that feels the same way. I have a schedule appointment with my ENT surgeon next month and because of you and others on here, I will have many more valuable questions to ask him. Finally, I hope folks continue to write on here to help others who may have questions as I did. Thanks Joanne again.

      Robert     

    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 pondwater62

      Posted

      You are smart to do so much research, especially having tinnitus as well as hearing loss. I sure hope the doctors can help both problems for you! Hopefully they reassure you that they are confident from having done hundreds of these surgeries and that decades of research and perfection preceded today. (Ask how many of these surgeries are done worldwide, i actually will google that too, i bet it’s a big number!).  

       It will be ok, over before you know it, and a relatively short recovery. There are always risks, like air travel....statistics are great overall and thousands of people continue to fly daily despite the rare tragedies.

      My case was odd in many ways, not typical. I hope you decide that odds are in your favor, go for it and then enjoy years of great hearing. As far as that tennitus , it may be a separate issue completely and treated separately, dr’s should help figure that out.  I wonder if they can do additional work in your ears for that at the same time? Getting your hearing back is primary stapes surgery goal. And the ‘newer’ ringing and tin-like sounds from surgery are very temporary in the big picture. Good luck with it all!!

  • joannesstapedec
    joannesstapedec Guest

    Posted

    Just wondering if anyone experienced the left side of your tongue feeling numb for 7 days? The stapedectomy on my left ear was done Nov 23rd 2017 and It’s day 10 for me and it feels like the top of my tongue is burnt and my taste is off. 

    Joanne

    Kingston Ontario

    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 joannesstapedec

      Posted

      Hello Joanne in Ontario! My surgery was in Seattle and ‘THE BEST in the Northwest’ from 3 of my local doctors/audiologist. Honestly had i read the many patient responses i May have changed my mind. I say ‘may’ because we never think the worst will happen to us...it’s always someone else . Wrong in this case.  The red flags were ratings 1-5 (highest), his were split....lots of 5’s and EQUAL amounts of 1’s! Really no middle ground. The 1’s sound like i could have written them. He was extremely condescending the moment a problem crept up. I’m amidst finding out what my options are.  I have another surgeon equally as reputable and NOT in this other dr’s good ole boy club, who I’m seeing in 3 days for the balance issues and hole left in my eardrum that was tried to fix 2 times after surgery . (I have to travel a few hours to these drs).

      Tonque issue: i still a year later have taste bud discrepancies, slight numbness, but have gotten used to it. Ive heard that’s common and does get slowly better in many cases. 

      Good luck and keep in touch!

    • lm80
      lm80 joannesstapedec

      Posted

      Hi Joanne!

      Yes it is normal. I had the same thing happen. Did you ask your doc about it? Because mine explained to me early on, while meddling in the ear, they sometimes disrupt the nerve that affects your taste buds. Mine lasted a good few weeks.

      Best of luck.

    • AgentRaj
      AgentRaj joannesstapedec

      Posted

      Hi,

      I had same issue with everything testing "off" after the surgery but it became normal within 5-6 months.  As per my surgeon explanation, it happens when one of the 4 nerves connecting to tongue are cut during Stapedotomy and brain takes bit of time adjusting to that "connection loss".  I'm going in for same surgery on my right ear next month and hopefully hearing+taste heal a successfully as the last one.

    • gayle64124
      gayle64124 joannesstapedec

      Posted

      My surgery was May 2017 on my right ear.  I had the numbness and loss of taste for a few months after (maybe 5 months?).  My surgeon explained that when going through the ear drum he is pretty much guaranteed to touch the nerves but individual's anatomy determines the extent to which they are disturbed.  Sense of taste, sensation, and the loss of a slightly metallic taste gradually and slowly disappeared.  My first meals out of the house after the surgery were so disappointing!

    • pondwater62
      pondwater62 lm80

      Posted

      Hello Lynztree.,

      I am hoping you are still active on this portal. I have a couple questions for you. How is your hearing since your surgery? Are you still have issues with noises? And, is your balance back to normal? I am in my 8th to 9th week post surgery and still have these issue. From reading your comments, you are or were having almost the same problems I am currently having. Hope to hear back from you. Thanks.

      Rob

    • joanne8798
      joanne8798 pondwater62

      Posted

      hi rob, I'm not who you asked directly but had experienced it all as well. Sounds are back to normal, i still have hearing issues and i think its from some complications with my surgery, as well as the other ear is getting worse due to overall bone degeneration diagnosis. i still have slight tinnitus but am able to handle it and my balance is off and a hole left in my eardrum, causing other issues.

      but again i had to have emergency surgery the day after my stapes operation because i could not stand up! extreme 'drop' vertigo(surgeon error, prosthetic was too long and touching my balance bone. i still have not addressed this legally as he blamed it on an anomaly shaped ear canal , been a couple years and I'm still considering legal action. he was very pompous and took no responsibility). Anyway, hang in there! Your surgery is still very fresh and if it was successful, your chances of it slowly improving and being perfect are very high! Keep us posted on your progress!

    • lm80
      lm80 pondwater62

      Posted

      Hi Rob!

      It's been about 3 years now since my surgery. My hearing was fixed. It's improved about 10DB from what I see on the paperwork. It's the tinnitus that still bothers me, plus the feeling of my ear being full and random dizziness.

      I just went through a scary time, because I have been constantly dizzy Feb- March. So on Tuesday I got a Fistula test to make sure that the prosthetic didn't poke any holes in my ear! I passed. So this was a relief. Otherwise, I would have needed to have surgery again.

      I kind of regret this Stapedectomy. I really bothers me that they can't see what the piston is doing on any scans because of what it's made of. If it ever slips, it will take another surgery to see what's it's doing.

      I have a complicated history of inner ear issues with numerous ear infections all the way from childhood to now. The tinnitus started after surgery so of course, I blamed the surgery. Upon further inspection, a new doctor predicted that the cause is TMJ. And we know this because when I move my jaw the sounds change. I went to TMJ therapy for 12 sessions and it didn't help. I think I might look into it again and possibly try acupuncture.

      How are you doing? How long has it been since your surgery?

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