University Hospitals Case Medical Center has announced that a new prosthesis has been developed for use in a traditional middle ear surgery–a stapedectomy–and has been successfully implanted in an otosclerosis patient.
The first patient to receive the new prosthesis is a 63-year-old woman with otosclerosis, a hereditary disorder that causes the bones of the middle ear–the malleus, incus, and stapes–to become immobilized and stop vibrating, leading to hearing loss. Patients with otosclerosis typically have abnormal bone growth around the stapes bone, which must move freely to conduct sound through the middle ear to the inner ear as part of the hearing process.
Physicians generally perform a stapedectomy procedure to surgically treat otosclerosis. In the surgery, they remove the immobilized stapes bone and replace it with a prosthetic device, allowing the bones in the middle ear to resume movement, stimulate fluid in the inner ear, and improve or restore hearing. Although a stapedectomy has a 96% success rate, for some patients, the surgery can sometimes fail months to years later. This can happen if the incus bone, which is used to support the stapes prosthetic, deteriorates. When this occurs, repairing a stapedectomy can be challenging.
Cliff Megerian, MD, Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, has invented a new stapes prosthesis, which took two years to develop. It is comprised of a new compound metal that, when heated, collapses and grips more effectively onto the supporting surface.
Dr Megerian’s first patient to receive the new prosthesis–the first patient in the world to benefit from it–has experienced a complete restoration of hearing in her treated ear. She reports that her treatment success has also helped her regain confidence and independence.
“There are literally hundreds and hundreds, maybe even thousands of people in the country and around the world who have the exact same condition in the ear that she does,” said Dr Megerian in the recent announcement. “So this prosthesis design will be a solution for others around the world.”
Source: University Hospitals Case Medical Center
Image Caption: Cliff Megerian, MD, an ENT specialist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, performs a stapedectomy using the new prosthesis he invented.
Image Credit: University Hospitals Case Medical Center
I have been told several times that all I would have to do is get the bones in my middle ears replaced with prosthetic bones. I have conductive hearing loss by the way…in both ears and both sides, the inner ear is totally fine.
The only problem that any doctor has seen so far is that I have a nerve in that area…I don’t know which, that is most likely exposed …ie…not encased or covered all the way. I don’t know exactly if this is correct, but this has been told to me about 10 years ago. I have been waiting patiently and hoping that maybe technology has reached a point where this would not matter. Do you know if this is the case or not?
i think what your doctor means is the facial nerve. it is passes through ear structures in all population and surgery carries the risk of injuring the facial nerve which causes facial paralysis. very rare. like any surgery, carries many risks. even a simple appendectomy or a wisdom teeth removal has many risks.
I had prostetic bone replacement done in 2002 however I have had many infections and issues over the years in they middle ear to the point I became very sick and hospitalized after several CT scans the last 3 or 4 years my new ENT finally found my problem somehow the prosthesis went through the middle ear into the inner ear almost to the bone structure of the brain! Surgery was done about 6 weeks ago to remove the implant 6&1/2 hours of surgery. I am recovering but still have drainage and discomfort in the ear. I have had several post op appointments and now on my second course of antibiotics since the surgery! My question is how could this have happened that the prosthesis penetrated the inner ear unbelievable when you see it on the CT scan? Thank you
I just had both ears done and so grateful that I did can hear without hearing aid. Can’t thank Dr. Elder for awesome job.
Did you have otoclerosis? I had a stapendectomy back in 1977 and my hearing has gotten worse I am very interested in having this procedure done… Any info you can give me would be a great help
I am headed for this surgery tomorrow at the Cleveland Clinic.
With not hearing properly because the bone has hardened Please Pray this works for Me.
Hi Mary,
I am wondering how your surgery went. And if it was successful.
Regards, Pip James
Hi My son is 4 years born with Congenital flaw in the middle ear, we recognized the issue when he reached 3 years old. A CT, MRI scan resulting :
Right ossicular dysplasia: Fused head of malleus and body of incus, absent handle of malleus, thin and short long process of incus, no stapes, narrow oval window (0.8 mm). Normal facial canal.
Left ossicular dysplasia: Fused head of malleus and body of incus, absent handle of malleus, thin and short long process of incus, no stapes, atretic oval window with facial nerve prolapse in the niche.
We are using a BTE Resound Verso9, I Just wondering about the implantation surgery to restore his hearing loss, do we have to wait till reaching a certain age, what are the needed action till that?
What is the best way to contact Dr. Megerian for a consultation? Our son is 22 and has had no hearing in his right ear since a child, due to Cholesteatoma. He has had repeated Postauricular surgeries to remove the growth and attempt to implant a prostheses. We are very serious and committed to find a solution since he is graduating from college and fears his lack of hearing will impact his career.
Hi Scott,
Here is a contact address and phone number at University Otolaryngology that I found for Dr. Megerian: 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, Phone: (216) 844-5500.
If you find that your son is not a candidate for the middle ear prosthesis, you might ask your local ENT/Audiology care team if your son is a candidate for EAS: a hearing implant and aid combination that utilizes electric acoustic stimulation (EAS). I am not sure if your son hears any frequencies in his right ear, but here is a link to more information about EAS: https://hearingreview.com/2016/12/bridging-gap-shifting-audiology-practice-include-implant-services/
Best of luck to your family and your son!
I came across your comment, and just wanted to say this: I am 22 and had gone deaf at the age of 12 for the same reason as your son.. chlosteatomas… I had this surgery 13 times until I was finally able to have the prosthesis replaced with my eaten away hearing bones… Dr Henry Arts was my surgeon, and turned out fantastic!! finally no more chosteatoma growth, and I actually have biotic hearing; it’s definitely a well-worth it surgery if insurance will cover! Ended up costing 10,000$/hour..
I am a 55 year old woman who is so grateful & happy to announce that I had the procedure done Sept 13, 2016. As we speak, I am healing and so far, so good. I go see Dr Lui next week to check up on it. After being deaf from a childhood infection. I am more than grateful to have my hearing restored. I feel blessed!
I am so happy to hear that there maybe a chance for me to hear again. Can you tell me, have you had any side effects and do you know if most insurance covers the procedure?
I’m curious on any follow up to the first surgery and the first comment’s surgery. My son has conductive hearing loss due to multiple ear infections as a toddler, Scar tissue grew when he grew. and he now has entangled bones in the inner ear causing little to no vibration. This seems like an exciting and viable solution, i’m anxious to hear feedback and follow up.
So good to hear! I am getting a prosthetic hearing bone in my ear after having 2/3 ear bones removed during my childhood and growing up with a moderate hearing loss due to a tumor in my ear twice (Cholestesteatoma). I now have a severe to profound loss in that ear.
My surgeon will repair my eardrum, place the prosthesis, and attach it to my ear drum in hopes for better hearing!
Any news? Have you had the surgery yet? I had a radical mastoidectomy and I am hoping to have a similar procedure.
Fantastic, l am so pleased for you, l am very deaf in my left and have about 60% in my right due to treat ment with drugs many years ago, gosh l wish for full hearing as sometimes deafness can be so embarrassing. All the very best in your new life as that is what you will get.