Otosclerosis is a medical condition that affects the ossicular chain in the middle ear, leading to hearing loss. The ossicular chain is composed of three bones: the malleus, the incus and the stapes. These bones connect the ear drum to the cochlea in the inner ear. Otosclerosis is the irregular growth of bone in this area. This additional growth makes it difficult for the ossicles to naturally vibrate when sound waves hit the eardrum. Due to the lack of vibration, the ossicles cannot conduct sound as efficiently, thus resulting in a conductive hearing loss.
Otosclerosis most commonly affects the stapes, the third bone in the ossicular chain. The stapes is crucial for transmitting sounds to your cochlea. The extra bone growth can happen at the junction of the incus and the stapes or at the footplate of the stapes where it attaches to the round window. Individuals affected by otosclerosis may experience increased difficulty hearing low frequency sounds, such as bass instruments, or some speech sounds.
Otosclerosis can develop for three main reasons; genetic predisposition, viral infection such as measles and abnormal thyroid function or estrogen count. It can develop very slowly, or quite quickly. Due to the proximity of the stapes to the cochlea, the condition can progress into the cochlea in 10% of cases. Irregular bone growth in the cochlea can introduce sensorineural damage such as the loss of hair cells and nerve damage. The cochlea’s close connection with the vestibular system can also introduce balance and vertigo problems.
If your hearing health care professional detects the symptoms of otosclerosis during a complete hearing evaluation, they will recommend a referral to an Ear Specialist physician. If bone growth is continuous, often times medication such as sodium fluoride is used to slow down growth. In other cases, surgery is chosen to remove the irregular growth, or replace the stapes with a prosthetic. Hearing aids can also be used very successfully to drive extra sound through the ossicular chain and overcome the conductive hearing loss.
The best method of prevention is to test your hearing every few years, or sooner if hearing difficulties are noticed. A complete evaluation will ensure that all parts of your ear are working in harmony. Visit your nearest Davidson Hearing Aid Centres location to complete a hearing evaluation today!
As the coronavirus impacts us all, please read how Davidson Hearing Aid Centres is working to create a safe environment for our staff and clients alike. Please note that our policies and office opening may be changing day-to-day as required. Please check back on our website to find the most up to date information.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and certain ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device.
The following Signia product families are compatible with this accessory.
The following Signia product families are compatible with this accessory.
The myHearing app works for all Andoid smartphones (Android 4.4 and newer) and iPhones (iOS version 8 and newer).
Full live remote tuning was tested and works best with the following devices:
• Google Nexus 6P (Android 7.1.1 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S8 – SM-G950F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S8 (USA) – SM-G950U (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 – SM-G930F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 (USA) – SM-G930V (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – SM-G935F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 – SM-920I (Android 6.0.1 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge – SM-G925F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S5 – SM-G900F (Android 6.0.1 or higher)
The functionality of myControl App was tested and works best with the following Android devices:
• Google Nexus 6P (Android 7.1.1 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S8 – SM-G950F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S8 (USA) – SM-G950U (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 – SM-G930F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 (USA) – SM-G930V (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – SM-G935F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 – SM-920I (Android 6.0.1 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge – SM-G925F (Android 7.0 or higher)
• Samsung Galaxy S5 – SM-G900F (Android 6.0.1 or higher)
This app can be used with any hearing aids as a guide for your first fit. The following Signia product families offer full conferencing with your professional as well as access to the full range of programming adjustments.
The following Signia product families offer a more limited range of fine tuning adjustments.
The following Signia product families are compatible with this accessory.
The following Signia product families are compatible with this accessory.
The following Widex product families are compatible with this accessory.
*Please note that the mini CIC’s are not wireless and will not function with these devices.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and certain ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device. Not compatible with the Audeo B-Direct.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and certain ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device. Not compatible with the Audeo B-Direct or the Audeo Q-10 products.
*Please note that the Audeo B-Direct, Virto B-Ti, or the Virto nano IIC are not compatible with this product.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and certain ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device. Not compatible with the Audeo B-Direct or the Audeo Q-10 products.
The following ReSound product families are compatible with this accessory.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and certain MIH and ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device.
The following ReSound product families are compatible with this accessory.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and many ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device.
The following ReSound product families are compatible with this accessory.
*Please note that it must be a wireless model. Many of the smaller custom products, including CIC and many ITC are not wireless and will not function with this device.
RC-DEX is designed for basic and easy wireless remote control of your hearing aids.