Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Tympanic Membrane Conditions
Number of Conditions: 1
Tympanosclerosis (Scarring of the Tympanic Membrane)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Structural and Functional Ear Disorders
Sub-category: Tympanic Membrane Conditions
Symptoms:
conductive hearing loss; visible white patches on the tympanic membrane; recurrent ear infections; no significant pain or discomfort in most cases
Root Cause:
Calcification or fibrosis of the tympanic membrane and middle ear structures, often as a result of chronic otitis media or repeated trauma (e.g., ear surgeries, frequent infections).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Otoscopic examination to identify white, chalky patches on the tympanic membrane and audiometry to assess hearing loss.
Treatment:
Generally no treatment is needed unless hearing loss is significant; hearing aids or surgical correction (e.g., tympanoplasty) may be considered.
Medications:
No direct medications for tympanosclerosis; treatment focuses on managing underlying conditions such as infections or inflammation with antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin ) or anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., nasal steroids).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Exact prevalence is unclear; associated with chronic otitis media and past ear surgeries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic otitis media, frequent tympanic membrane perforations, ear surgeries (e.g., tympanostomy), and recurrent ear trauma.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good; hearing loss can be managed with hearing aids or surgery. Progression of scarring is rare once the underlying cause is addressed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent conductive hearing loss and ossicular chain fixation in severe cases.