Stapedectomy

During a stapedectomy, an otologist (ear surgeon) removes all or part of the original stapes bone and replaces it with a prosthesis. This restores hearing by enabling sound waves to be sent once again to the inner ear.

How stapedectomy works

Your otologist will perform the procedure through your ear canal with the help of a precision microscope.  

• They'll lift your eardrum to expose the middle ear bones. 
• They'll create a small hole (fenestra) in the stapes using a laser to bypass the fixed portion. The last step is placing the prosthesis between the middle bone of the ear (incus) and stapes fenestra. 

Your eardrum is returned to its normal position to heal, held in place by packing material that is later absorbed by the body. 

What to expect

You'll receive a sedative and local anesthesia for your stapedectomy. This means you'll be relaxed but awake, with numbing medicine placed in your ear where the surgery takes place. 

The procedure takes about 90 minutes. After it's complete, your otologist will check your hearing.  

You'll probably be able to return home the same day. It's recommended that you avoid strenuous activity for about a week. 

After your surgery

During and immediately after surgery, most people notice better hearing but say that things don't sound quite normal. This will improve over time. 

You'll feel some fullness in your ear, which will go away once the packing around the eardrum is absorbed and fluid drains from your ear.  

You'll continue to experience hearing improvement over the next three to four months. 

Once your healing is complete, your hearing is likely to be significantly better. If your inner ear functions are normal, the result is restoration of near normal hearing.