What is a stapedectomy?

A stapedectomy is a procedure to improve your hearing by replacing your stapes bone with an implant made of metal or plastic.

What are the benefits?

Your conductive hearing loss should get better so you should not need a hearing aid.

Are there any alternatives?

A normal hearing aid or a bone-anchored hearing aid can often help you hear better.

What will happen if I decide not to have the procedure?

Your conductive hearing loss will gradually get worse as will any symptoms of tinnitus and dizziness. You will eventually need a hearing aid to hear.

What does the procedure involve?

The procedure is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but a local anaesthetic can be used.

The procedure usually takes an hour to 90 minutes.

Your surgeon will perform the procedure either through a small cut in front of your ear or through a cut around your ear canal inside your ear.

Your surgeon will remove the top part of the stapes bone, leaving the base or footplate that connects to your inner ear. They will use a drill or laser to make a small hole in the base and then fit the implant, connecting it to the incus.

They may place a small pack in your ear canal.

How can I prepare myself for the procedure?

If you smoke, stopping smoking now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help you prepare for the procedure, help you recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Speak to the healthcare team about any vaccinations you may need to reduce your risk of serious illness while you recover. When you come into hospital, practise hand washing and wear a face covering when asked.

What complications can happen?

The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.

Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had this procedure. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, obese, have other health problems or you smoke. Health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

Possible complications of this procedure are shown below. Some can be serious and may even cause death.

General complications of any procedure

• Bleeding during or after the procedure.
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE) — this is a blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis - DVT) or one that has moved to your lung (pulmonary embolus).
• Chest infection — your risk will be lower if you have stopped smoking and you are free of Covid-19 (coronavirus) symptoms for at least 7 weeks before the procedure.

Specific complications of this procedure

• complete loss of hearing
• worse hearing
• dizziness
• tinnitus
• change of taste
• facial weakness
• infection of the surgical site (wound)
• allergic reaction to the pack material
• failed procedure, if your symptoms do not get better

Consequences of this procedure

• pain
• scarring of your skin

What happens after the procedure?

You may be able to go home the same day.

You should be able to return to work after about 2 weeks.

Do not blow your nose for a few days.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people make a good recovery and their hearing improves. You will need to come back after 2 to 3 weeks to have the pack removed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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