Otosclerosis

Otosclerosis (ICD-10-GM H80.-: Otosclerosis) refers to a progressive disease of the ears associated with excessive bone formation of the bony labyrinth (small bony cavity system).

The fenestral form can be distinguished from the cochlear form of exuberant bone formation:

  • The fenestral form is by far the more common form and involves the bony labyrinth in the area of the oval window (communication between the middle ear and the inner ear).
  • The cochlear form, very rare, affects the bony cochlea with its sensory cells (= receptor field for auditory perception; part of the inner ear).

Sex ratio: women are affected twice as often as men. In the white population, the disease occurs more often than in black Africans, Native Americans or Asians.

Frequency peak: the maximum incidence of otosclerosis is between the ages of 15 and 40.

The prevalence (disease incidence) is up to four percent in Germany. Otosclerosis occurs in families in up to 50% of cases.

The incidence (frequency of new cases) is about ten cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year.

Course and prognosis: Otosclerosis is a chronic progressive disease that leads to increasing hearing loss.