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pregnancy and otosclerosis

Posted , 4 users are following.

sarah57373
sarah57373

Hi there - I am a 34 year old woman with otosclerosis in both ears - and I am trying to decide if I am brave enough to have a baby, knowing the condition is likely to worsen. At the moment my ears aren't that bad, I don't know my percentage of loss but I don't have hearing aids. Unfortunately my condition is bilateral - and unfortunately my ENT specialist thinks it's started to effect my cochlear too - meaning a stapedectomy might not be an option. So what do I do!? 

I would love to hear from any women with the condition who have had children and what happened to their hearing? 

Does anyone know might pregnancy make the condition in just my middle ear worse - or will it make the middle ear and cochlear worse at the same rate? (hope that makes sense)

I wonder if there is a specific test or scan I can request to know for sure if my cochlear has been affected? 

If I knew the percentage of my hearing loss now - perhaps I could guess my worst case scenario if I did get pregnant?

Any thoughts / stories or info greatly received. 

Many thanks 

Sarah

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Wendiwoo
    Wendiwoo sarah57373

    Posted

    Hi there Sarah.  First thing, Im not pregnant but can relate to some of the things you are asking.  I was diagnosed with O.S 15 years ago.  It is supposed to be hereditary, but no one as far as I can get back has had it im my family.  One thing I would say first is, that you might think you dont need hearing aids atm., but trust me, when I had my first pair, which wasnt until after having O.S for many years, I could not believe the nouses and sounds that I was hearing.  I would say to you that having them, can actually slow down the process of O>S and tinnitus.

    I wish I had them sooner.  Im 57 - 8 weeks ago, I noticed a great loss of hearing in my right ear.  Went back to Specsavers and they have told me that the stapes bone has calcified and that is what has caused such a quick deterioration in my ear.  I am hoping that when I get referred to the hospital, I get offered a stapedectomy as I will jump to it.

    Dont let this put you off having babies though.  At the worst, for you atm would be having the hearing aids.  I promise you, you'll be wishing you had them sooner.

    Ive gone on sorry, Ive forgotton what all your questions were lol!!

    Mine isnt hereditary.  My kids hearing, apart from grommets for one, is spot on.  So I have to question the hereditary statement.

    You should ask to be referred to a hearing specialist and discuss your fears with them regarding having the children.

    Sorry Ive gone on, but good luck.  Be interested to know how you get on. Wendy

    • sarah57373
      sarah57373 Wendiwoo

      Posted

      thanks for the reply.  That's good to know you like your hearing aids - my grandad has some and his are terrible, or it could just be that he is so deaf they don't work! I have a specialist, his bedside maner isn't that great though and he hasn't really helped me in this decision. 

      I hope you get a stapedectomy sorted if that's what would work for you, they seem to do a great job at restoring hearing, depending in where in your ear has been damaged. 

      Thanks again - and if anyone else with the condition has had a baby it would be good to hear from you and learn how it did or didn't effect your hearing. 

      Thanks

      Sarah 

  • julia14447
    julia14447 sarah57373

    Posted

    Hi Sarah, Firstly I have only just found out I have OC and have occasional tinnitus, after my partner telling me i have hearing issues for the past 20 years!

    I have now been made aware by friends and work collegues so went to

    Dr last year and referred me to ENT.

    I am having hearing aids fitted in 3 weeks time and i cannit wait, I teach

    teenagers hairdressing in a secondary school, and not being able to hear in class effectively has really pushed me to get this sorted.

    I have had a child, ten years ago, and yes I do think it probably sped up the condition, however, im now 42 and my son is ten and now I have found that my loss of hearing is -50dcb in my right and -40 in my left.

    I didnt know I had the cobdition when i fell pregnant but even if I had id still have had kids, get some aids and enquire further about stapedectomy!

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