Stapes Surgery for Otosclerosis in Patients Presenting with Mixed Hearing Loss

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of stapes surgery in patients presenting with a preoperative mixed hearing loss (bone conduction thresholds ≥40 dB; 40 < air conduction thresholds (AC) < 85 dB).

Patients and methods: A total of 30 patients (32 ears) with mixed hearing loss who underwent primary stapedotomy were evaluated. Audiometric parameters were assessed before and after surgery. Contralateral thresholds were also reported. The need for a hearing aid (HA) after surgery and its impact on quality of life were also measured.

Results: AC and word recognition at 40, 55 and 70 dB were significantly improved after stapes surgery. Only 16.6% of the patients needed an HA after surgery and reported being satisfied with the aid.

Conclusion: Stapes surgery improved auditory function in patients with mixed hearing loss, allowing most patients to delay the need for an HA without worsening their quality of life.