Effect of preoperative hearing level on success of stapes surgery

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Jul;141(1):12-5. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2009.02.023. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated functional results after stapedotomy in terms of the influence of preoperative hearing threshold.

Study design: Case series and chart review.

Subjects and methods: We classified 141 patients according to preoperative mean air-conduction threshold: 40 to 54 dB, group 1; 55 to 69 dB, group 2; and 70 to 89 dB, group 3. Speech discrimination scores also were noted.

Results: All groups showed significant improvement. The greatest increase in postoperative speech discrimination score was seen in group 3. Group 1 improved from moderate hearing loss (mean, 49 dB) to normal (mean, 24 dB); group 2, from moderately severe loss (mean, 61.2 dB) to mild (mean, 28 dB); and group 3, from severe loss (mean, 76.4 dB) to moderate (mean, 41.1 dB).

Conclusion: Success in treating otosclerosis does not depend on extent of preoperative hearing loss. Patients with severe loss improved to moderate, increasing the benefit from use of a hearing aid. The patients attained good auditory function, improving their quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Hearing*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Otosclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Otosclerosis / surgery*
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stapes Surgery / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome