The causes of impaired sound transmission through the ossicles are as varied as they are different. For every type of ossicular chain reconstruction, MED-EL provides the optimal version of its middle ear prostheses.

The most common reasons for ossicular chain reconstruction are

• Otosclerosis
• Reconstruction after cholesteatoma removal
• Degeneration of ossicles due to frequent middle ear infections
• Ossification of the joints between the ossicles
• Ossicular chain disruption due to trauma or accident

Tympanoplasty (from the Greek: tympanon, “drum”; Referring to the tympanic cavity of the ear; plasty: surgical reconstruction

Imagine that the tiny ossicles in the middle ear can no longer swing freely because, for example, inflammation has created scar tissue that restricts the movement of the entire system. In some conditions, the ossicles may also be structurally damaged and need to be removed (e.g., in the case of a cholesteatoma). As a result, the mechanical transmission of sound vibrations is interrupted, and hearing is significantly impaired.

In all these situations, titanium tympanoplasty prostheses can partially or completely replace the ossicles and take over the mechanical transmission of vibrations.

Stapesplasty (from Latin: stapes, meaning “stirrup”; plasty: surgical reconstruction)

Imagine if the ossicles can no longer swing freely – this can happen, e.g. if the stirrup cone (stapes) become fixed due to abnormal bone growth (otosclerosis). As a result, sound vibrations can no longer be properly transmitted to the inner ear and hearing becomes significantly impaired.

In this situation, a so-called stapesplasty prosthesis made of titanium can be used to bypass the damaged stirrup bone and restore the transmission of sound vibrations from the middle to the inner ear.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help