The loose wire syndrome.

The loose wire syndrome occurs in patients who have had stapedectomy surgery and insertion of a prosthesis which attaches to the long process of the incus by means of a crimped wire. The syndrome consists of a triad of one or more symptoms which improve temporarily with middle ear inflation. These include improvements in auditory acuity, in distortion of sound, and in speech discrimination. Forty-three patients were studied for age, sex, and symptom distribution, and for results of corrective surgery. In all cases, a loose wire at its attachment to the incus was found and corrective surgery (tightening of the wire) was performed. Objectively and subjectively all but two patients were relieved of their symptoms.