Tympanoplasty With Mastoidectomy

[Art5502]

I am a 59 year old male who has had ear aches and some hearing loss as a child. Over the years the loss has gotten worst to the point the there is almost a 100% loss in the right ear. While some of the  loss is nerve damage, the bulk of the loss is conductive. Over the last 20 years I have had three tubes  inserted into my right ear and one in my left ear. The first time I had the tubes inserted my hearing improved considerably. The second and third times the improvement was progressively less, both in volume and in the length of time before the hearing regressed.  
I have recently seen a specialist at John Hopkins in Baltimore and he has recommended a Tympanoplasty With Mastoidectomy for my right ear with a possible Ossiculoplasty if needed.  

My concern is that most of what I read states that Tympanoplasty is done for folks with eardrum perforations and infections. I understand that my eardrum is severely scared but not perforated. The sole reason for me having this surgery is to improve my hearing. I currently have no pain or other issues with my ears.

In your opinion is this procedure excessive for what I want to achieve? My procedure is scheduled for March 20, 2008.

Thanks
Art

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

If you want to try to improve your hearing without the use of a hearing aid, a tympanoplasty should help you.  I am not sure if you need a mastoidectomy or not; that may need to be decided at the time of surgery. One thing to check is whether your Rinne test is negative, meaning you hear a tuning fork behind your ear on the bone louder than in front of the ear.  If this is the case, you will probably benefit from surgery.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical
advice - the information presented is for patients education only.
Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your
individual case.

[some1x]

A related discussion, tympanplasty and hearing was started.

[Art5502]

You didn't answer my question.

In your opinion is this procedure excessive for what I want to achieve?

Art

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

Tympanoplasty refers to any middle ear work done on the eardrum or the ossicular chain.  Ossiculoplasty alone is called a tympanoplasty for surgical purposes ("tympanoplasty with ossicular chain reconstruction")

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical
advice - the information presented is for patients education only.
Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your
individual case.