Fetal inner ear is made of cartilage. It is gradually ossified by special bone-producing foci, which complete their work before birth. Sometimes, these bone producing areas of the ear do not stop working after birth, and carry on producing fresh bone, even in adulthood. This abnormal bone disturbs the mobility of the ossicles behind the eardrum, and causes hearing loss. The disease is called otosclerosis and is common in southern mediterranean area, including Greece. Its main symptom is hearing loss, which typically deteriorates during periods of hormonal hyperfunction, such as adolescence, pregnancy and menopause.

 

Medical treatment with combination of fluoride, calcium and vitamin D has been tried with no definite results. On the contrary, surgical treatment offers excellent results.