Calcification and Tinnitus

Otosclerosis and cochlear sclerosis, named as ear calcification, originate from two main points. One of them is the ossicles located in the middle ear and transmitting voice to the inner ear. The situation that can make tinnitus is the calcification of the soleus of stapes in the middle ear. This is called as otosclerosis in medical literature. It is a genetic situation. As treatment, the stapes in middle ear is removed and replaced with a synthetic material (usually products made of materials such as teflon, titanium, gold). Both hearing problem and tinnitus can be eliminated with operation. If tinnitus complaint is not overcome, further examinations are required. Sometimes this calcification can also be accompanied by calcification in the inner ear. If present in inner ear, the success rate in treatments of both hearing problems and tinnitus decreases. Hearing loss is present at the same time and can be progressive. Cochlear sclerosis is calcification of the part in inner ear, which is called as cochlea. This is the part where the sound in cochlea turns into electrical impulse. It causes an irreversible process if cochlea is calcified. If there is cochlear sclerosis, many surgical methods have been applied for this situation and not concluded with success in all studies. Thus, treatment of cochlear sclerosis in terms of hearing is not possible today. It doesn't mean that patients with cochlear stenosis can't recover from tinnitus. It is also very important if the calcification is related to tinnitus. All these situations are easily detected by imaging tests. This matter needs to be clarified. Because, it does not mean that every person with calcification will have tinnitus. There is no assumption that every patient with otosclerosis or cochlear sclerosis, called ear calcination, will have tinnitus. Some of these patients have tinnitus. Sometimes, tinnitus is never related to calcification. It is a matter of a different division or region in the auditory channels. There might be two different situations and overlap each other. Since patients and physicians emphasize on calcification, they perceive it as a problem of calcification in every tinnitus case. Thus, a meticulous evaluation and examination phase sort out the situation. If two separate situations are present, tinnitus can be treated. Surely, examinations have importance to make a decision.