australiagirl

Hi

You may have already made a decision regarding your stapedectomy however I think it's important to be aware that there are lots of risks involved with this surgery.

You can click on my name & read all my posts if you're interested but a very short version of my experience following stapes surgery is I have gone totally deaf (from the surgery), I've developed a perilymphatic fistula which my surgeon hopes may heal by itself within 6 months but will operate if not healed in that timeframe, roaring/screeching tinitus, constant vertigo, several hospital admissions & numerous other symptoms. Prior to surgery I had moderate conductive hearing loss with no nerve damage at all...post surgery I have total irreversable nerve damage to the cochlear which means hearing aids are now not even an option. I've had to give up work & have barely been able to leave the house since my surgery (which was eleven weeks ago).

I put up with hearing loss for many years prior to my surgery, I was too vain to consider a hearing aid. After what I've been through with stapes surgery, I would give anything to turn back the clock & opt for that hearing aid.

My surgeon is one of Australia's best & most experienced neurotologists (ear/head surgeons), he is as devastated about my complications as I am & I know it was nothing he did wrong during surgery. Sometimes things go wrong with this surgery regardless of how wonderful the surgeon is.

My unoperated ear also has otosclerosis & I can never have surgery on it because of the complications I've had with my other ear.

I know this surgery is truly wonderful when everything goes as planned but sometimes things do go wrong & I think it's important to really weigh up the risks.