I have been diagnosed with otosclerosis and have a moderately severe sloping mixed hearing loss. What does this mean, and how can it be treated?
Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that impairs sound transmission, often resulting in conductive or mixed hearing loss. Treatment options include the use of hearing aids to enhance sound perception or surgical procedures such as stapedectomy or stapedotomy to restore hearing. In advanced cases with significant sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the inner ear hair cells or nerve pathways), cochlear implantation may be considered. It is important to consult an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.