30F, just got diagnosed
Hi, new friends! I made this post a few months ago because I had suspicions of otosclerosis given the result of my Apple hearing test. Since then I've had a real audiogram (which looked very similar to the Apple one) and a CT scan that confirmed "otospongiosis in the fissula ante fenestrum." I have no family history but I am young, female, and white which apparently fits the demographic profile to a T.
My hearing loss is around 30 dbHL in both ears, worse at lower frequencies, and I also have pretty severe tinnitus but it mostly doesn't affect my daily life and I can use my AirPods as hearing aids when I really need to, they work pretty well.
I have had two surgeries in the past few years, including one on my TMJ very close to where the ear surgeries would be* and the idea of two more sounds really exhausting especially because I have always been extremely healthy so all these sudden random issues are overwhelming. Of course I am talking to my doctor about all this but do we think I can get away with waiting a while to get the surgeries? Like, waiting a decade or more even??
Another snarl in this whole thing is that I am trying for a baby, as in literally started trying this week. According to Dr. Google it seems pregnancy can make this condition way worse. Does anyone on this sub have experience navigating otosclerosis during pregnancy? I really do not want to put my major life plans on hold for this. I'll use hearing aids if I have to, lol
Anyway just wanted to ramble a bit and also introduce myself since I have a feeling I'll be getting to know this sub pretty well. Thanks in advance for any advice.
*i am 100% confident the TMJ issue is not related to the hearing loss, my post history has some more info about it but it was only on one side whereas my oto is fully bilateral.