Treatment of conductive hearing loss with ossicular chain reconstruction procedures.

Middle ear infections and ossicular disorders can cause conductive hearing loss. Ossicular disorders include fibrous unions in which scar tissue replaces the long process of the incus; disarticulations caused by previous surgical procedures or cholesteatomas; fixation from otosclerosis, cholesteatomas, or congenital malformations; and dislocations caused by trauma. Surgical reconstruction procedures, with the insertion of partial or total ossicular replacement prostheses, help restore conductive hearing. Patients who undergo these delicate procedures have significant hearing deficits and require sensitive, skilled perioperative nursing care.