Effect of pregnancy on otosclerosis

The weight of evidence found in the literature and the results of this study lead us to believe that the effect of pregnancy upon the hearing loss due to clinical otosclerosis is significant and real, although variable and largely unpredictable. This effect has often been exaggerated, however. Hearing difficulties during pregnancy have been overlooked too frequently and often have been studied inadequately. Prompt detection and otologic evaluation will allow a complete audiometric follow-up of the earlier pregnancies in otosclerotic women. Patients afflicted with the more advanced stages of otosclerosis must be aided by the otologist in the choice between an operation and a hearing aid. The results in hearing restoration after the one-stage fenestration operation and the variety of procedures performed on the stapes (particularly stapedoplasty techniques) have afforded extraordinarily good results up to now. If the patient is not amenable to surgical treatment, she may benefit greatly from the use of a suitable hearing aid and from lip reading. Thus, with a properly selected device and instruction in the early adjustment period, many persons who have severe loss of hearing are able to lead useful, happy, and efficient lives. In light of past studies, the facts summarized on the foregoing pages, and the possibilities in otosurgery and aural rehabilitation, we find that much reassurance can be offered to otosclerotic women who are anticipating future gestations. Certainly one would find it most difficult to justify a therapeutic abortion or sterilization in cases of otosclerosis complicated by pregnancy.