I have Otosclerosis

Good morning.
I went to the ear specialist at Michigan Ear Institute yesterday, and they determined I have a condition called Otosclerosis.
It's not as bad as it sounds.   :-)
They redid the tests I received in Lansing plus a few more. Apparently the doctors there don't have a very high regard for 'Audiologists' in general.
The resident Dr who first saw me was surprised the Audiologist didn't just recommend hearing aids.
So they were impressed I was referred, and also when they redid the tests with very similar results.
But the Doctors were better able to explain exactly whats going on.
Look at the picture below where it shows the 'oval window'.  That tiny bone right next to it is called the 'stirrup'. That bone is connected to two other bones that then connect to the eardrum.

Well, that tiny bone has lost some of it's flexibility, which means it's not transmitting properly to the cochlea.
It can be corrected with surgery. They make an incision around the eardrum, push the eardrum over to reach the little bone.  Then with a laser, cut out the section of bone that has lost it's flexibility and replace it with a prostheses.
But, the Dr isn't recommending surgery at this time. My hearing loss isn't that great. The surgery has possible risks and unless there's  a chance for considerable improvement they don't want to do it. He is recommending a hearing aid at this point, and retesting of the ear every year or so. We can do surgery if and when it gets bad enough. And It's possible the condition could stay the same. So, I'll be making another appointment with the Audiologist.
And now, I'm off to work.