[Natural history of otosclerosis--from tinnitus to deafness].

Authors review the most important data about natural history, signs and symptoms and clinical stages of otosclerosis. Development of otosclerosis is long-lasting and involves several decades of lives. First symptoms already appear in teenagers in about 20% of cases. In advanced cases there are irreversible sensorineural hearing loss. When total deafness occurs cochlear implantation is nowadays the treatment of choice.