Otosclerosis diagnosis

Otosclerosis is related to abnormal bone growth (ossification) within the middle ear. As with any ear disease, it’s essential to verify the causes and impact precisely the factor that causes dysfunction. Otherwise, the treatment might result in symptoms worsening. So, an appropriate diagnosis is one of the critical factors for further treatment of patients with otosclerosis. At first, medical practitioners discuss with patients their current symptoms and look through previous medical records. They develop a previous diagnosis based on that information and data from medical examinations obtained during an otolaryngologist appointment. Next, doctors prescribe tests and diagnostic procedures to confirm their previous diagnosis. To evaluate the severity of hearing loss, healthcare practitioners perform audiometry and tympanometry. Finally, physicians conduct a CT scan of the skull’s temporal lobe, mainly to examine the structure of middle-ear and inner-ear bones, which is very helpful in confirming the diagnosis. As the diagnosis is established, the doctors develop the final recommendations and best treatment options for otosclerosis for the particular patient.