If you experience hearing loss, ringing, or dizziness in one or both ears, you might have a problem called otosclerosis. Otosclerosis is a disease that affects the middle ear. Learning more about ostosclerosis and how it affects your hearing can help you treat and manage it.

What's Otosclerosis and How Do You Treat It?

Some tissues in the body should be flexible enough to carry out their functions, including the bones found in the middle portion of your ears. The stapes bone is one bone that requires flexibility to transmit vibrations to the inner ear. If extra bone tissue grows around the stapes bone, it hardens and stops moving. The sensory tissues in the inner ear don't receive the stimulation they need to complete their functions, and you lose your ability to hear.

The strange sounds you hear may be due to tinnitus. Tinnitus can produce a multitude of sounds, including ringing, buzzing, roaring, and tinkling. Some people may even hear "music" when they have tinnitus. Other individuals may have problems concentrating or focusing on different things. You may also feel dizzy or unable to hold your balance if you have otosclerosis and tinnitus.

You want to see a hearing specialist as soon as you notice the problems mentioned above.

How Can You Keep Your Hearing Safe?

A specialist will generally perform a hearing test on both ears to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. You may need to wear hearing devices to compensate for your hearing loss. If necessary, a hearing doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the negative effects of your otosclerosis, including vitamin D supplements to keep the disease from progressing further.

If your condition worsens, you may need surgery to remove the stapes bones in your ears. Some surgeons can replace the removed bones with artificial devices called prostheses. The devices mimic the natural functions of the stapes bone and may improve your hearing overall. A hearing specialist will discuss the procedure in greater detail when you consult with them.

Until you seek hearing treatment, try to remain as calm and relaxed as you can, especially when you drive or operate heavy machinery. If you tend to lose your focus regularly, have someone else chauffeur you around. During the night, raise your head on pillows to help control your dizziness. If the sounds in your ears bother you, close your eyes and rest until you feel better.

To learn more about otosclerosis, contact a hearing specialist today, like one from Desert Knolls Hearing Center.