[Otosclerosis in the elderly. The effect of stapes-plasty on hearing ability and hearing aid management].

We examined 105 patients who underwent partial stapedectomies at the age of 65 years or older as treatment for combined hearing losses due to otosclerosis. Among other things investigated was the influence of the operation on the hearing of both the operated and unoperated ears, as well as on tinnitus existing preoperatively and the use of a hearing aid. Findings showed that tinnitus decreased or vanished in 75% of the cases. Sixty-one percent of the patients needed a hearing aid continuously preoperatively, with 48% not needing it post-operatively and 13% using it only occasionally. The degree of sensorineural hearing loss had by the other patients was so severe that the use of a hearing aid was also necessary post-operatively. However, in some of these cases, a successful use of a hearing aid became possible for the first time due to the surgical improvement in hearing.