Otology & Neurotology
Chicagoland’s premier Otology and Neurotology. ENT Surgical Consultants is proud to serve our patients with outstanding, comprehensive, cutting edge, and state-of-the-art diagnostic Otology and Neurotology. Please contact us today for your Hearing Evaluation 815-725-1191.
Otology / Neurotology Services
- Cerumen removal
- Otowick placement
- Ear Injections
- Endoscopic Ear
- Surgery
- Ear Tube Placement (Tympanostomy)
- Eardrum Perforation Repair (Tympanoplasty)
- Tympanomastoidectomy
- Otoplasty
- Stapedectomy/Stapedotomy
- Ossicular chain reconstruction with ossicular implants
- BAHA® (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) Implants
- Cochlear Implants
- Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma) Removal Surgery
- Meniere’s Disease Surgery
- Endolymphatic sac decompression surgery
- Labyrinthectomy
- Superior semicircular canal dehiscence repair surgery
- Facial nerve decompression surgery
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak repair
- Encephalocele repair
Conditions We Treat
- Outer Ear Infections
- Ear Infections – Middle or Outer Ear Infections (Swimmer’s Ear)
- Cholesteatoma
- Hearing Loss – any type and severity, pediatric or adult
- Hearing Loss Connexin 26
- Tinnitus
- Pulsatile tinnitus
- Otosclerosis
- Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks
- Encephaloceles
- Bell’s palsy
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Dizziness
- BPPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- Meniere’s Disease
- Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
Education Handouts
Ossicular Implants
The first titanium prosthesis was designed in 1994 in cooperation with doctors of the Dominikus Hospital in Düsseldorf. It was based on the years of experience Kurz had in designing and producing gold prostheses. Kurz followed the suggestions of well-known otologists, who introduced the idea of titanium as the material of the future in middle ear surgery. The superiority of the new implant compared to previous middle ear prostheses with respect to biocompatibility, hearing improvement and intraoperative manipulation became evident even in the testing phase. From a long-term perspective, the prosthesis has proven itself, especially in regard to its reliability and safety.
Benefits
- Small mass for good sound conduction
- Evenly distributed weight facilitates implantation
- Large surface contact with the tympanic membrane or transplant prevents tilting
- Optimal shape adaptability ensures smooth progress of the intervention
- Excellent biocompatibility for irritant-free integration into the middle ear
- Individual shape adaptation through simple bending
- MR safe (7.0 T)
Stapedectomy for Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that causes hearing loss.
Causes
The cause of otosclerosis is unknown, but there appears to be a hereditary component, meaning it can be passed down through families. In this condition, an abnormal sponge-like bone grows in the middle ear. This growth prevents the ear from vibrating in response to sound waves — which must happen in order for you to hear. This lack of vibration leads to hearing loss that continues to get worse with time.
Otosclerosis is the most frequent cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults. It affects about 10% of the U.S. population. It is a disorder that gets worse slowly, usually beginning in early to mid-adulthood. It is more common in women than in men. Otosclerosis usually affects both ears.
Otosclerosis can lead to not only conductive hearing loss, but to nerve loss as well.
Risks include pregnancy (which may trigger onset) and a family history of hearing loss. Caucasians are more susceptible than others to otosclerosis.
Symptoms
- Hearing loss
- Slow hearing loss that continues to get worse
- Hearing may be better in noisy environments than quiet areas.
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
A hearing test (audiometry /audiology) may determine the extent of hearing loss. Temporal-bone CT may be used to distinguish otosclerosis from other causes of hearing loss.
Treatment
Otosclerosis may slowly get worse. The condition may not require treatment until you having severe hearing problems.
Medications such as oral fluoride, calcium, or vitamin D may help to control the hearing loss, but the benefits have not yet been proved.
A hearing aid may be used to treat the hearing loss. This will not cure or prevent hearing loss from getting worse, but may help relieve some of the symptoms.
Surgery to remove part of the ear (stapes) and replace it with a prosthesis can cure the condition. A total replacement is called a stapedectomy. Sometimes a laser is used to make a hole in the stapes to allow placement of the prosthetic device. This is called a stapedotomy.
Outlook
To reduce the risk of complications after surgery:
- Do not blow your nose for 1 week after surgery.
- Avoid people with respiratory or other infections.
- Avoid bending, lifting, or straining, which may cause dizziness.
- Avoid loud noises or sudden pressure changes such as scuba diving, flying, or driving in the mountains until healed.
