Long-term effect of otosclerosis on bone conduction.

There have not been many studies of long-term sensorineural function in otosclerosis. The reports of long-term follow-up of lateral canal fenestration cases show a surprising stability of bone conduction. Because the experience of the senior author in stapes surgery suggests that some patients with clinically proven otosclerosis have a tendency for progression of sensorineural hearing loss, a review of over 500 ears in patients with proven otosclerosis was undertaken. Data from the study indicate that patients with otosclerosis have more sensorineural hearing loss than the general population. Also some otosclerotic ears have a tendency for progression of sensorineural hearing loss.