What is Stapedectomy Recovery like?

Welcome, @rinagelman49 and @shanb. I moved your messages to this existing discussion about stapedectomy:

- What is Stapedectomy Recovery like?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/strange-symptoms-almost-1-year-after-stapedectomy/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with members like @mikepa @artscaping @azmn @momisthebest714 @davekoh @tach @vic83 @bobbie1977 @bettina68 who have had the procedure and can possibly answer your post surgery questions about a) sound amplification and b) tinnitus.

Contact your doctor promptly whenever anything changes in your ear.
In 2011 I had a stapedotomy not a stapedectomy with immediate improvement in hearing and no complications after healing.
What’s the Difference?
Compared to a stapedectomy, a stapedotomy includes the use of a laser to make a precise hole (fenestration) in the stapes footplate. While a stapedectomy typically removes the entire stapes footplate and has it replaced with a micro prosthesis. During a stapedotomy, a prosthesis is positioned within the precisely-made and measured hole that is created in the footplate of the stapes bone. The immobile stapes bone is replaced by the tiny, piston-like prosthesis, allowing the new prosthesis bone to move freely with the other middle ear bones, efficiently transferring acoustic energy to the inner ear.

Yes, the sounds will start to be at a more normal volume for you as your brain adjusts to the fact that you are now hearing sound again. I about peed myself the first time I turned on the garbage disposal after packing was removed. Sounded like a jet plane landing in my kitchen. I had the surgery at the end of Oct and by mid Dec the amplification of sounds was gone.

Thanks so much bettina68 for giving me a little peace of mind. I had my surgery just 2days before you did. According to the latest hearing test (and my one assessment), my operative ear improved 60% just after 2 month, which is very good. But 3 month after surgery, amplification seems to be the same. Both my ENT surgeon and my neurologist assure me that it'll be gone as soon as my brain adjust to the new sound, but they say that no any doctors in a world can give you specific time frame. It could be a one month, six months or even a year. So you were the lucky one))). Can you please tell me if, in your case, this adjustment happened gradually or just on "one beautiful day?" Thanks again.

You CAN do this. I encourage you to learn a few stress management techniques, particularly breathing exercises. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. While so doing, focus on something positive you see or shut your eyes and imagine something positive. Google 'rhythmic breathing' or 'box breathing' for more information.

I hope the Prednisone works for you. If it doesn't, talk to your medical providers about the possibility of a cochlear implant. It helps to talk to another person who has gone through this. If there's an HLAA chapter in your area, do connect with them. http://www.hearingloss.org/chapters

Is this issue single sided or bilateral?

Good evening @rinagelman49 and @shanb.
Although I have not had a stapedectomy actually. It was my mother. Both she and my grandfather were deaf. My mom was invited to participate in the stapedectomy in the 1960's and if my memory is correct, had one of the first successful surgeries. I remember her telling me how she could hear the doctors and nurses walk around the room. Then an ambulance pulled in with a siren blasting and about knocked her off the surgery bed.

Her life was immediately changed.....more smiles, more laughter, more lunches with friends.

I hope you have your surgery questions answered.

One thing I do have is Tinnitus. It has been with me for years. What helps???? Wearing hearing aids.

May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris

Chris, thank you so much for your kind words and good wishes. I hope my hypersensitivity (hyperacusis) will gradually disappear. My tinnitus, although not terrible, was completely gone after stapedectomy. Thanks again.

The full thread of this post is missing so I am not clear on the background.

I have experienced sudden (over a couple of months) decline in my hearing. I already had HL and wear aids, but now understanding is noticeably off and increasing the volume does not change this.

What I experience most is distortion in all sound even my own voice. Also any reflected sound (off a wall or sink) is noticeably loud. Not cleared, just loud. Is the hypercucis?

I now also experience a very discreet tinnitus pitch that start when I get up in the morning, but not before rising.

I just had a stapedectomy on Friday. I am 3 days into recovery. I still have some pretty bad dizziness. Any sort of moving around causes me to feel dizzy. Also have fullness even in the non operated ear. Anyone else experience dizziness post surgery? They said it’s pretty common but maybe I underestimated how bad it would be bc I cannot really function like this.

I am currently in the exact situation. I am on day 4 recovery . Dizzy to where I cannot function, extreme ringing in ear and half of my tongue is numb. I am miserable. When did yours start to subside?