Hi Lee!Anne! I was first diagnosed with conductive hearing loss and Eustachian tube Dysfunction by my first ENT. He first offered hearing aids with a masker for T, but for me, it was not yet the right option, I needed to go to the cause of the problem, this led me to a different doctor, who was able to diagnose otosclerosis and suggest surgery. I was diagnosed with otosclerosis and conductive hearing loss by my ENT/Otologist! Surgery risks, were assessed. He also said, that last year he conducted a research study in which 90% of his patients with T, who's undergone stampede to my reported T resolving after surgery, and 2 stragglers found their T was gone after 6 months. Of course, there is still a chance that T wouldn't go away.
I am 3 week's post-stapedectomy and doing really well. My surgeon also performed a balloon dialation procedure in my Eustachian tubes to help with the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.
I went in with severe hearing loss and 3 constant tinnitus tones, loud and high pitch, and an additional Morse code, intermittent, annoying unmaskable one! Right after surgery, I could hear much better, and as the healing and swelling goes down, it keeps improving. As far as my T is concerned, I woke up to only one T tone, instead of 3-4! That already was an improvement!!!!!
As the weeks have gone by, tones have fluctuated. At one point, my ear started echoing high pitch sounds and voices, that one freaked me out a bit, it was distortion music, making it sound off key on my operated ear. But that seems to have lasted a few days and it's improving. An email to my otologist nd he said, it's all normal fluctuations due to tender tissue healing and fluid behind the eardrum. My latest noises are, no longer in my ear, I can't hear ri going, per se. Instead it's migrated into a "whole head" type noise experience, a static, electric type sound all over. Not pleasant, but I'm hopeful that as long as sounds keep changing, I can still hope or expect the T to go away.
As far as surgery, it was amazing how little discomfort I felt post-op. My dr. did put me fully under, so 24 hrs post, I was dazed and sleepy. I didn't need the prescription pain meds and managed well on ibuprofen for three days. One day after surgery, I could move perfectly, just a little dizzy if I moved too quickly... I even baked cookies for Christmas. I did get a little more tired, due to anesthetic in my system and I did take care not to do any heavy lifting or hard work. I did get the metallic taste I was warned about, post surgery, but that is already much much less! The ear also still feels a little numb and full but totally manageable.
As far as the balloon dialation, I ehad maybe three days throughout the three weeks where I've had the sticky, clogged feeling in my tubes, but that also seems to be less and less. Ompared to pre-surgery.
So far, in my opinion, the surgery was worth it!! Even though my T is not -yet- resolved, I'm happy to have regained so much of my hearing.
My suggestion to you, if you choose to do the procedure, make sure your surgeon has performed plenty of these procedures. I chose to find an otologist, not just an ENT, they have a bit more expertise on ear issues exclusively.
Whatever you choose, good luck! Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!