Stapedectomy Or Hearing Aid?
Mar 2, 2015
I am 45, Male ,married with a daughter. active in profession. My hearing is facing problem as I am unable to hear soft voices in meetings & discussion. Doctor has suggested to go for Stapedotomy. Another option is Hearing Aid. I am very anxious to know how much risk is there to go for Stapedotomy? Can It worsen the hearing? Instead of 45, if I wait for another 5 years, will it be same effect of Stapedotomy or surgery at that stage will not bring any result?
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I had a stapedectomy in my right ear on 23-aug-2013 its 1-sep-2013 today but i really can't hear by my operated ear till now, The only thing that is worrying me is that I don't know if it worked or not. For those of you that have had the surgery, what was your hearing like afterward?
It just feels itchy and stuffed up (the gauze is still packed in there).
Has anyone had to wait until that was completely out to notice a significant difference?
can any one tell me is it ok to not still hearing by the operated ear if its ok then how long it'll take to hear normally by operated ear.
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I was virtually deaf in one ear and very little hearing in the other ear, have worn hearing aids for 25 years. Recently (all happened so quickly, within 6 weeks) got diagnosed with Otosclerosis in both ears. 6 weeks after seeing doctor, i had the op. I had a stapedectomy/stapedotomy on 04/01/2016. Noticed a faint improvement in hearing when lying on the ward after the op, could faintly hear trolleys being moved about. But nothing drastic...... I've had dizziness, (not room spinning dizziness) which now only remains if i read, do jigsaws, scan shop shelves from side to side etc, weird! I've been through the heart pulsating, creaking, the rain dripping onto a metal plate sound etc.
I've had no real explanation of what to expect, i didn't really ask the surgeon any questions as i wasn't sure what would happen after and was unaware i'd have so many unanswered questions come up.
I assumed, and read some on the internet, and was told by a friend who'd had it done, that once the packing was removed, i'd be able to hear. Had packing removed 6 days ago, i'd built myself up SO much, that i stood and sobbed when i still couldn't hear! Surgeon looked a bit puzzled, but he said he wasn't worried at this point and to see him again in 6 weeks and that it'd be fluid behind my ear. He said i need to have some popping before i'll hear.
So, here i am now, with no change in my hearing for the last 6 days. I'm sure when i swallow, i sound as if fluid is in there? I also get like a thunder noise mainly in the morning when i wake up and my throat moves. But what's worrying me most after reading up on the internet again, is when i put headphones on, i can hear the music, (have to have it on loud to hear it), but the loud thumps/beats in the music make my ear crackle like a loose wire on a radio. I read last night that this is because the op hasn't worked and the prosthesis needs tightening/shortening/revising. But then on the other hand i've read that this may be normal?
If i go to do a burp movement when i have music in the headphones, i get a millisecond of a loud noise, but then it goes again as my throat can't seem to hold the noise open if you get what i mean. I have soooo many questions but don't want to bore you with them, maybe later. So, should i be hearing by now, is the crackling loose wire sound normal, and if you have any other advice that might stop me worrying please. I'm just sitting waiting day by day thinking today might be the day that i hear.
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So, I bit the bullet and had the same surgeon who operated successfully on my left ear operate on the right ear yesterday. I had a much harder time with nausea and recovering from the general anesthesia than the first operation. The first time, I threw up once and that was it. Yesterday, I was throwing up a lot, and then they give me a phenergan injection, which just made me so weak and tired that the nurses had to get me dressed. And they were insistent that my friends take me home at noon, because they were getting the people for the 2 pm operations ready. My poor friend was driving with me in the back throwin up into a plastic bag.
Right now, I'm having a lot of pulsatile tinnitus in the right ear, which was not the case with the left ear operation. It's very loud because it's not masked by any external sound and is very distracting. I had pulsatile tinnitus in that ear before, and now it's even louder, unfortunately. As tired as I was last night, it kept on waking me up. Because I had some mild nasal congestion, the surgeon has me on oral antibiotics and nasal spray for a few days. I have very little discharge on the cotton balls so far, but it looks like a piece of the gelfoam packing came out on one of the cotton balls (at least I hope that it's gelfoam and not my eardrum!).
When I had the first operation, the right ear "popped" and I began to hear low frequencies sounds 8 days after the operation. Can't wait to get some relief from the tinnitus with external sounds.
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I had a stapedectomy about a month ago now, it wasn't as straightforward as i would have hoped , I could hear very well right after the operation my doctor said that my hearing will dull as the blood will clot etc i was in hospital for four days I was so dizzy I kept being sick it was horrible I could hardly move without being sick I had my dressing took out my ear a week ago ( 2 weeks after op) I was very disappointed with my hearing as it was very dull my doctor advised me to come back in 4 weeks time since my packing has been out I'm suffering from high pitched noises in the operated ear it's still very dull is this normal is my ear just adjusting ? It's worrying me as others have said they could hear right away, my balance is still off ever so slightly I caught a viral infection which affected my nerves down the left side of my face ( operated side ) I was given tablets for this a week later now and this has now cleared up its just this ringing high pitched noises.
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I had my first stapedectomy for my right ear 6 years ago. it was successful. stilI I hear with my operated ear well except some ringing in my ear. but 11 days ago I had another stapedectomy for my other ear- left ear.That post op problems and results are completely different when I compare to my other ear. I don't hear properly. today is the 11th day. I have a lot of ringing and I feel as if my ear was full. the ringing is irritating.When I had the same operation 6 years ago, I had no ringing, feeling full . I just remember metallic sounds and they were really high. now no voice is high and irritating.I wonder is there anyone else experienced those ringing-mostly pulping tinnitus,not hearing properly? Because I feel really worried and nervous and as if something went wrong. my doctor said it all went well. I haven't had the hearing test yet. but I am worried.please write about your experience.
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About a week ago, I was at home at the computer (I believe I was listening to music at the time), and I noticed that the hearing in my left ear had been significantly diminished (but not completely gone). About a minute (perhaps even less than a minute) later, it returned completely to normal, and so I assumed that it was just ear wax or something, and everything was fine now. However, a few seconds to a minute later, it went back to being diminished again. I can't remember for certain if I felt anything physically when all of this happened, but there may have been something that I felt in my ear - which led me to believe it was probably just ear wax.
I have researched on-line for possible solutions to this kind of problem, and I have tried every possibility that I could - peroxide, warm olive oil, blowing as hard as I can with my nose and mouth shut, blowing as hard as I can with my nose and mouth and other (good) ear shut, nasal decongestant (which successfully clears up my nose, but doesn't have any effect on the ear), hot steam bath, Similasan Ear Relief drops that are supposed to clear up water in the ears, jumping up and down with my bad ear tilted toward the ground, jogging, and of course trying to dig out ear wax with the ear wax curette that I have. Unfortunately, nothing has worked, and my hearing has been about the same ever since a week ago when it went out (diminished) for the second time.
I have been able to remove a lot of ear wax with the curette, and sometimes it seems to make it a little better, but it never restores my hearing to normal. Sometimes I feel like I am right at the spot where it is clogged up (if indeed clogged ear wax is the problem), because the curette seems to be hitting a spot that's clogged with ear wax (judging from what it feels and sounds like), but then when I dig out a bunch of ear wax at that spot, my hearing is still the same or perhaps only slightly better. Perhaps I am actually pushing the ear wax further inside, which was mentioned as a possible negative effect of trying to remove the ear wax yourself. Also, I am wary of not poking too hard or too deep, as that was also a warning given at the sites I visited in my research.
Swallowing never seems to do anything, but it's interesting that when I have a strong belch, I can feel pressure inside that left (bad) ear, and it really feels like it's about to burst out and expel whatever is stuck (if it's the case that something is stuck), but it never does. Maybe whatever is stuck in there [ear wax, presumably] is just in so tight that nothing seems to be able to remove it. However, the odd circumstance that occurred when the problem first originated - which is the fact that it got better right after getting clogged up, and then got clogged up again - would seem to suggest that there may be another reason for this happening, other than plugged-up ear wax.
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After the usual IV insertion, walking to OR and walking up rather groggy, I must say the first few hours were strange. Having limited hearing in my right for the past 7 years ( and getting worse) I decided to go for the operation.
My mouth and throat were very dry (11am operation with no food or drink in 12 hours) and deep breathing was challenging. I was encouraged to take deep breaths to clear anything from my lungs. My OP ear was full of cotton and gauze so hearing from that side was nada. My good ear was very amplified like I had a microphone inside my mouth, I would scratch my head and it was LOUD. I was discharged after I could stand without aid and at home crashing on the couch.
I had a protein shake and a bowl of hot soup and felt very stable with no dizzy spells or balance issues, but still the amplification inside my head. I had ringing tones on my OP ear on and off but no pain. If I plugged my good ear I could hear nothing but the ringing.
Five hours now and I feel good but I can hear everything around me, the talking , the tv, things very far away are very clear. My dog barked right beside me and I nearly jumped off my chair, scared me. It was loud. I used to watch tv on 65 volume now it's at 40 volume.
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Now at day 41 and stapedectomy still not working. Hearing was no better when packing was removed at 2 weeks. Surgeon said it will still be fluid. Climbing the walls counting EVERY single day. Waiting for something to happen. Just had a weeks course of steroids, no difference. It feels as if i'm in a goldfish bowl and everybody around me is on the outside, i feel like i'm in a deep hole and can't get out. I'm sure there's still fluid there as i can feel it when i swallow, and also on several occasions each day when i swallow, mainly listening to music, i get a one split second burst of loudness which after reading the internet makes me thinks it's my tube blocked? But it doesn't hold open for longer than a swallow. I also get like a thumping on my eardrum when i belch, as if a blast hits it? This also wakes me in the night with the banging. Not that i sleep much as EVERY waking moment of my life at the moment is consumed by it. I've had 6 weeks off work until now, due to go back in tomorrow. My unsteadiness had cleared for about 10 days but came back with avengence a couple of days ago. Not vertigo dizziness, but like the quick movements dizziness. I do still get crackling and clicking in my ear. Spoke to surgeons secretary last thursday who is going to get a message to him this tuesday, as that's the first time she will see him apparently. Has anybody else had fluid for this amount of time, or can give any advice or anything to make me feel it'll still work and that i can get my life back?
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I've had bad hearing since a child. Am now 56. Had first hearing aids about ten years ago. Learnt to live with decreased hearing till then. Now got NHS aids. Six weeks (approx) ago, I noticed I'd lost 75% of what hearing I had in my left ear. No wax as had checked. Went to check aids. They were ok. Its my hearing that has deteriorated considerably in a very short space of time. Was offered stapedectomy 20yrs ago. Decided against it as success rate 50%! Now I think the time has come where I shall be offered stapedectomy and I need as much info as poss. Want to hear from people that have had this done and has it improved your hearing or made it worse (not that mine can get any worse!). Where you had it done? I would not be able to consider going abroad due to lack of funds.
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I am just in the recovery process a week after having the op.
On coming around from the operation i noticed an immediate volume change for the good, the sounds were very very loud for the first couple of days, but has settled a little know.
It feels like i have a shell over my ear so the sounds are not clear as yet, maybe to do with the dressing still in there, although there is no pain.
Family and friends say i am talking a lot quieter.
I believe this will open up a whole new world to me.
My operation was done on our NHS, only having to wait about 4 months.
I might sometime in the future be having the other ear done.
Good luck to anyone who is considering the operation it has taken me 3 years to reach a decision.
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I am considering a stapedectomy in my left ear but worried that I may be getting too old for this type of surgery and will experience a much more difficult time with recovery.
I would like to hear from others close to my age with your experiences. My other option is a bone anchored hearing aid which I really do not want to do.
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I am deciding whether or not to get a stapedectomy done, and my doctor told me that it is only a 0.1% chance (1 out of 1000) that i will go completely deaf. i think i am going to go through with it...since i have been partially deaf my whole life, and am excited to hear the difference.
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I'm 4 weeks in after a stapedectomy. Got advice to avoid lifting but also as much exercise as possible for the next month still (except for walking). Any ideas on what other mild exercise I could do? Anyone had difficulties with exercise after stapedectomy/ or want to tell how did it go with it afterwards and what kinds of exercise they did/do?
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I am 3 days out, having a stapedectomy. I feel like my head is full, and the bouts of dizziness is bad at times. Does anyone know about how long this may last the dizziness bout. Will it get better? I'm taking antivert every 12hrs, is there something better? I heard taking ibuprofen helps with the inflammation.
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I had a Stapedectomy in both my ears. My left ear I had done 4 yrs ago. Now I am getting vertigo, not full blown, but just enough to annoy me and make me feel light headed. My ear also feels sore. This has been going on for a few days. It's not like an ear infection sore, but just sore like something is not right. Now I am not sure what is causing this. I have been taking ibuprofen for the soreness and when I do, about 20 min later I don't feel as light headed. Could something be just swollen in my middle ear? About 2 months ago I had my ear flushed out with water by my regular doctor, but that didn't seem to bother anything. About 2 weeks ago I noticed like clicking in my ear and during that time I went to hear a band play. I don't know what is going on and I am getting kind of worried. I was going to wait a week and see if it all goes away. I do get this vertigo about once a year and it lasts about a week or so. Then I am fine. What do you all think? Any doctor's out there that could help? I don't want surgery again! I had a tough recovery and the thought of it terrifies me. Also am I not allowed to go scuba diving? We are going to turks and caicos next month and I wanted to scuba dive but I heard you can't.
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Can anyone tell me how long it took for the gel packing to "melt away" after the surgery? I don't have an appointment until a month after surgery-which seems unusual after reading other posts. I'm only 5 days post-surgery, but the packing is driving me crazy. I think it is causing a loud whooshing noise whenever I am sitting up. I think it is also making it painful if I lie on my non operated side-as if it is putting extra pressure on the ear drum?
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Heartbeat in ear on my ten day, will it stop?
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After surgery, whenever I belch with my mouth closed or sometime opened, a back pressure goes directly to ear that had surgery and cause a jolt of imbalance for about a second that scared me. Has this ever happen to any of you after stapedectomy?
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I had a stapedectomy on my right ear 6 days ago. I have had a lot of the usual post op issues, dizziness, loss of taste, heartbeat in ear etc. However I am finding that I'm experiencing more pain than I had anticipated. Sometimes it's a short stabbing pain and the rest of the time it's a dull pain - like if you put a cotton bud in too deep. But it's almost constant. Also hurts like hell if I yawn and sometimes when I swallow. I've spoken to my doctor who has given me more pain meds, and I don't see the surgeon for another week. Has anyone else had anything like this? I've been changing the cotton wool twice daily and it always has blood on it.
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I'm 11 days post op now and still very dizzy. How long did yours last if at all? My first few days were terrible. I couldn't move because of the dizziness and nausea. It's better now, but I was hoping I'd be back at work this week, but there's no way, and my employer isn't very happy with me. I have to move painfully slow to get around. I also have tinnitus now, and I didn't have it before the surgery. It started 2 days ago. Just a small ringing. I'm also hearing weird small clicking noises in my ear? Don't know what that's about. No hearing improvement yet either, but I've been reading that it took some of you months so I've decided not to worry about that yet. Also, I have the weird taste on my tongue on my operated side. I know this is normal. How long should I expect it?
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