Is there anyway this disease can be detected WITHOUT surgery????

It's easy to diagnose.
Hold a vibrating tuning fork by your ear; then to your forehead. IF you can hear it better pressed to your head (or bridge of nose or cheek), it's odds on that you have oto.

A complete audiological test will usually demonstrate a pattern that correlates VERY well with ototsclerosis.

My home test in the 70's, after 2 doctor's said I'd need a hearing aid was to hold my Accutron watch (built in teeeeeeny tuning fork) against my front teeth. LOUD and CLEAR!
I was never able to hear the hum through my ears so I diagnosed myself and found somebody who wasn't a quack and he agreed with me: surgery!

Thank you for response. Five years ago an ENT said that I had OTO and proceeded with surgery. After the fact, it was discovered that I did not have the disease and that I had no stapes at all. Needless to say that my life has been a nightmare since. Had we known that OTO was not present the whole fiasco could have been avoided as I would not have elected to have surgery