About Ossiculoplasty
Key Highlights
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Restores hearing by reconstructing the sound-conducting mechanism of the middle ear.Can be performed using biocompatible prosthetic implants or the patient's own bone.Often performed as a minimally invasive procedure using an operating microscope.May eliminate or reduce the need for a hearing aid in cases of conductive hearing loss.Addresses the root cause of hearing loss from ossicle damage rather than just amplifying sound.Can be combined with other procedures like tympanoplasty (eardrum repair)./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Conductive hearing loss due to discontinuity or fixation of the ossicles (ossicular chain disruption).
- Chronic otitis media (middle ear infections) leading to erosion or damage of the ossicles.
- Cholesteatoma (a non-cancerous skin growth) that has damaged the middle ear bones.
- Trauma or head injury resulting in dislocation or fracture of the ossicles.
- Congenital malformations of the middle ear structures (ossicular anomalies).
- Otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth around the stapes) when stapedectomy is not suitable.
- Previous ear surgery that resulted in ossicular damage or failure.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive audiological evaluation (hearing tests) to confirm conductive hearing loss.
- High-resolution CT scan of the temporal bone to assess the anatomy and extent of damage.
- Pre-operative medical clearance, including blood tests and possibly an ECG.
- Discussion with the surgeon about anesthesia options (usually general anesthesia), procedure details, and expected outcomes.
- Discontinuation of blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) as advised by the doctor, typically 1-2 weeks before surgery.
- Arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure and assist you for the first 24-48 hours.
- Avoiding food and drink for 8-12 hours before surgery as per anesthesia guidelines.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site, which may require antibiotics.
- Bleeding or hematoma formation.
- Failure to improve hearing or worsening of hearing (sensorineural hearing loss).
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) which may be temporary or permanent.
- Dizziness or vertigo, usually temporary.
- Facial nerve injury (very rare) which can cause temporary or permanent weakness of the facial muscles.
- Prosthesis displacement, extrusion (pushing out), or rejection over time.
- Taste disturbance due to manipulation near the chorda tympani nerve.
- Perforation of the eardrum (if not already present) or failure of a graft.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay is typically short, often same-day discharge or an overnight stay for observation.
- A bandage (head dressing) is usually worn for 24 hours. The ear may be packed with dissolvable or removable material.
- Expect some ear discomfort, fullness, and mild drainage for a few days. Pain medication will be prescribed.
- Keep the ear dry. Avoid swimming and use a shower cap or cotton ball with petroleum jelly during showers for several weeks.
- Avoid blowing your nose forcefully, sneeze with your mouth open, and avoid air travel for 2-3 weeks to prevent pressure changes.
- Follow-up appointment in 1-2 weeks for packing removal and initial wound check.
- Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and bending over for at least 2-3 weeks.
- Final hearing improvement may not be apparent until swelling subsides and the ear heals, which can take 6-8 weeks. A follow-up hearing test is done then.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-4 weeks for initial recovery; 6-8 weeks for full hearing assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering ossiculoplasty in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for ossiculoplasty in India include Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform ossiculoplasty. MediFyr helps you compare ent specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for ossiculoplasty compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 50 Thousand – 200 Thousand | 1-2 days | ~ 2-4 weeks for initial recovery; 6-8 weeks for full hearing assessment | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 175 Thousand – 700 Thousand | 1-2 days | ~ 2-4 weeks for initial recovery; 6-8 weeks for full hearing assessment | Know More |
Top hospitals for Ossiculoplasty in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ent teams and experience managing patients undergoing ossiculoplasty.
Vikram Brown, a 58-year-old high school...
Vikram Brown, a 58-year-old high school music teacher, had struggled with hearing loss for over a decade, a legacy of childhood ear infections. His world, once filled with the subtle harmonies of his orchestra, had gradually faded into a muffled silence. Conversations in his noisy classroom became exhausting guesswork, and he had withdrawn from social gatherings, frustrated by constantly asking people to repeat themselves. A persistent, low-grade earache accompanied the hearing loss. His ENT, Dr. Lee, diagnosed a chronic middle ear infection (chronic otitis media) that had eroded his ossicles, the tiny bones crucial for hearing. Dr. Lee explained that an ossiculoplasty could rebuild this conductive pathway. Vikram was anxious; the idea of surgery near his brain and facial nerves was frightening, and he worried it might not restore the nuanced hearing he needed for music. The procedure itself was under general anesthesia and painless. The first week of recovery was uncomfortable, with ear fullness and strict instructions to avoid blowing his nose or getting water in his ear. But at his one-month follow-up, when the packing was removed and the audiogram showed a dramatic 30-decibel improvement, Vikram wept. He could hear his wife's voice clearly across the room and the delicate ping of a triangle from his student's composition. The emotional relief was profound, he felt reconnected to his passion and his people, no longer isolated in his silent bubble.
ENT Specialists for Ossiculoplasty
Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform ossiculoplasty and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 16 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 43 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 10 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 19 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore