Otosclerosis is supposed to be a rare condition, but it affects more than 3 million people in the US alone. This condition can cause hearing loss and it starts when a small bone in the middle ear gets stuck in place. This bone is usually the one called the stapes. The bone tissue grows around the stapes improperly, which keeps the stapes from vibrating. This in turn prevents sound from traveling from the middle ear to the inner ear, so you’re unable to hear well.

Not even the medical experts know for certain what causes otosclerosis. This makes it more difficult to determine the chances of a person getting this condition. However, the researchers in this field have collected several statistics and trends regarding the risk factors for the problem:

• People can develop this medical condition when they’re between the ages of 10 and 45 years old. But for the most part, patients are more likely to develop otosclerosis while they’re in their 20s. However, the symptoms are the worst when they’re in their 30s.
• There may be a genetic component, as this can run in families. About half of all patients who develop otosclerosis have a gene that is associated with the condition. However, having this particular gene doesn’t necessarily mean that the person will develop the condition.
• This medical condition can affect both men and women. However, more women than men develop this problem. In addition, women who develop otosclerosis during their pregnancy tend to lose their hearing faster, compared to the men and the women who weren’t pregnant when they had this problem.
• The condition is most prevalent among Caucasians, as almost 105 of that racial group can develop the problem. It’s not as common in the other racial groups, and it’s very rare for African-Americans.
• If a person had measles at any time in their life, it probably increased their chances of developing otosclerosis.
• The condition is also more likely to develop in a person who has stress fractures to the bony tissue around their inner ear.
• Immune disorders, in which the immune system of a patient attacks part of the patient’s body by mistake, have also been linked to otosclerosis.

If you do get otosclerosis, at least you have treatment options. If the case is mild, the otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT doctor) may take a slow approach while testing your hearing regularly. A hearing aid may also be recommended. However, serious cases may require surgery. This may help, but like all surgical procedures it has risks as well.

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,

Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services

https://www.hkentspecialist.hk

If your voice is normally clear and easily understood, it can be a bit of a concern when it becomes somewhat husky. But it can be downright alarming when that husky voice turns to unintelligible croaking while you’re trying to talk. Our ability to speak is one of our most important abilities, and losing that ability can make you feel frustrated during the course of the day.

Here are some of the more common causes of losing your voice:

1.      You’re a Smoker

You really should quit smoking, and the prospect of losing your voice is just one of the risks of continuing this deadly habit. Studies have shown that smokers are 3 times more like to have a problem with their voice compared to nonsmokers.

Smoking can cause the development of a small non-cancerous growth on your vocal chords. This growth is called a polyp, and it can turn your voice lower, hoarse, and breathy. The cigarette smoke can also irritate your vocal chords. When this happens frequently enough as you maintain your smoking habit, you can develop long-term issues about your voice.

2.      You’re Using Your Voice Too Much

You probably know that when you overuse your muscles when you work out, you can strain or injure those muscles. The same is true when you’re using the wrong workout techniques. But when you talk or sing, you’re also using muscles in your mouth and throat. So if you talk or sing too much within a period of time, you may lose your voice due to fatigue or strain. You may not even be speaking or singing properly with the right techniques, which can also lead to your voice loss.

3.      You Have a Cold

The good news about losing your voice when you have a cold is that when you’ve recovered from your cold, you’ll gain your former voice back. You just have to drink plenty of fluids in the meantime while you rest your voice. A cold can make your vocal chords swell up, which can then change the way they vibrate and your voice will change as well. Your throat can also get sore and inflamed, and that can affect how much air you can breathe in to make your vocal chords vibrate.

4.      You Have Allergies

Having your vocal chords swell up is a possible allergic reaction. The allergies can cause postnasal drip that moves mucus into your throat to irritate your vocal chords. If you keep on coughing or clearing your throat, this can strain your vocal chords as well.

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,

Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services

https://www.hkentspecialist.hk