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Are there any problem with hearing that occurs with EDS? |
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Hearing impairment and/or sensitivity can occur due to the
possibility of hypermobility of the joints between these bones of the
middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes) can create problems with
effective sound conduction across the middle ear.This loss of energy in
route to the inner ear leads to a mild to moderate conductive hearing
loss. Because the inner ear is also responsible for balance, improper
function leaves some affected with bouts of dizziness. (Amanda Jenner, Lynne Shields PhD ccc-slp. "EDS Speech and Language Issues")
The safe and effective way of treating mild to
moderate hearing impairment which can occur in EDS is with hearing aid
and necessary additional aids. There is a much more common inherited
disorder of hearing know as Oloscterosis which can be easily confused
with the type of hearing impairment that is seen in EDS. It is vitally
important
for the ear surgeon to be able to differentiate between the two. As the
hearing loss in both, is due to abnormality of the sound conduction
across the middle ear. The standard treatment for Oloscterosis is an
operation called, a "stapedectomy". However, do not attempt to
undertake a stapedectomy on an EDS patient it could easily end in
disaster with total loss of hearing and a severe disruption of balance. (M.Hawthorne, FRCS. "Hearing Impairment and EDS")
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