Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Hearing Loss After Ear Surgery. Is This Curable?
Hi Sumit, Long years back (about 10 yrs ago)I underwent for ear surgery for Left ear. Due to ear discharge , all the ear bones were damaged & in 3rd time operation, all the damaged bones were removed & stopped the ear discharing. After that operation I completely lost my hearing :( 1) Hearing can be restore in any other way....? 2) May be becose of ear nerves weakness, I lost hearing? 3) If the Ear bones are reconstructed, is it possible to restore the hearing? 4) How do I confirm if the ear nearves are become weak/dead? 5) How long will it take to restore the hearing after ear surgery (any surgery)? Thanks & Regards, NANDA
posted on
Thu, 24 Jan 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 23 Aug 2013
Answered on
Fri, 23 Aug 2013
Last reviewed on
hello and welcome to HCM,
Let me first console you by mentioning that in all probability the doctor who performed the surgery wanted to clear your infection from the ear and first make you safe and only then worry about your hearing.
Unfortunately since you have mentioned that all the bones were destroyed and subsequently removed and also since it has been so long that the surgery was done, it is likely that the nerve of hearing has become weak and thats why you have the hearing loss.
A nerve once it becomes weak can usually not regain its strength as its recovery capacity is very limited.
You need to first find out by performing an audiometry whether your nerves are weak or not. If you have a conductive hearing loss or a mixed loss with good air bone gap then you may still have a chance for regaining hearing after surgery but this chance is remote. If anyway the audiometry demonstrates neural loss the unfortunately your only hope is a hearing aid.
get back to me with the reports of the audiometry and we shall see if we can help you out further
regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
Let me first console you by mentioning that in all probability the doctor who performed the surgery wanted to clear your infection from the ear and first make you safe and only then worry about your hearing.
Unfortunately since you have mentioned that all the bones were destroyed and subsequently removed and also since it has been so long that the surgery was done, it is likely that the nerve of hearing has become weak and thats why you have the hearing loss.
A nerve once it becomes weak can usually not regain its strength as its recovery capacity is very limited.
You need to first find out by performing an audiometry whether your nerves are weak or not. If you have a conductive hearing loss or a mixed loss with good air bone gap then you may still have a chance for regaining hearing after surgery but this chance is remote. If anyway the audiometry demonstrates neural loss the unfortunately your only hope is a hearing aid.
get back to me with the reports of the audiometry and we shall see if we can help you out further
regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Audiometry
Loading Online Doctors....