Hi there, I had my stapedectomy operation done in Decem...
Posted , 76 users are following.
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
TaraL Guest
Posted
Hi everyone!
I'm not sure is anyone is still reading this thread but I figured I would try. I had a left ear stapedectomy done 3 weeks ago. There was a complication during the surgery where there was a steady stream of blood making it difficult for the surgeon to see well. He did end up completing the surgery but it took over 3 hours. My issue now is that i'm left with dizziness. My surgeon believes its vestibular hypofunction. I'm doing vestibular rehab therapy 2x per week but have not noticed an improvement. I can get around ok and I can drive so far. The imbalance when walking makes me feel like I am drunk and it really effects my daily life. I'm depressed and anxious that my balance wont improve. Anyone have a similar experience. I'm hoping I get some improvement soon. I am a teacher and have to go back to work in 3 weeks. I'm so nervous!
chirag66628 Guest
Posted
Hello,
I have been operated for stapedectomy in my left ear 8days back.
after operation I was able to hear even tiny sound with operated left ear. I felt like new sound life in operated ear.
I can see some blood fluid coming out from left ear from the day I operated till date. specially when I try to sleep.
what I observes is from 6th day is, I am not able to hear from my left operates ear. is it because of blood fluid (some part tried up) has blocked my ear temporarily?
when I touch the operated left ear and from below neck I can feel sensation.
there is a pack in my ear which will be removed in 3 weeks time.
any help is appreciated.
brian56567 Guest
Posted
great group. i read all the comments. is there anyone in the group that could not hear anything 4 days post op? do i need more time to heal?
i am a bit frightened something is wrong. going for a ct scan tomorrow.
Maddox1011 Guest
Posted
I had gotten used to significant hearing loss in my left ear over the last 35 years. A friend urged me to have the surgery to increase my quality of life. The surgeon, apparently highly respected in Atlanta, quoted a success rate of something like 97%. His staff assured me he was the regional expert.
Unlike you I was subjected to general anesthesia not local which adds to the risk. And I was not able to observe the surgery live on camera. I had no idea that could be an option. The result was more loss of hearing in my left ear and a new loss of hearing in my right ear.
I required all records regarding the surgery including notes from the anesthesiologist. I was told the anesthesiologist never talks with patients and the notes would not be available. That sounded to me to be in violation of HIPPA laws. I demanded all records and got them. I refused to pay for copies. Those notes were forwarded to another local ENT who examined me and confirmed there had been additional hearing loss as a result of the surgery, and additional hearing loss between during the period before the 2nd doctor examined me. I was getting worse. I believe hearing in my right ear continues to deteriorate also.
I found it stunning that during the follow up exam with the surgeon 6 weeks post surgery, the audiologist in that practice who examined me first specifically stated she "could see the abnormality inside my ear". 10 mins later the surgeon informed me "everything looked normal" and he had no idea why my hearing was worse. He contradicted the audiologist with no explanation at all.
Anyone considering this surgery should be very careful. I am stuck with significant additional hearing loss, no explanation, and the suggestion only that I re-do the surgery or get a hearing aid which is not covered by my insurance.
This surgery should not be taken lightly.