Stapedectomy: What It Is, Who Needs It, and What to Expect

When hearing gets fuzzy—not from earwax or infection, but because the tiny stapes, one of the three smallest bones in the human body, located in the middle ear becomes stuck, a stapedectomy, a surgical procedure to replace the fixed stapes with a prosthetic might be the only way back to clear sound. This isn’t a common surgery, but for people with otosclerosis, a condition where abnormal bone growth around the stapes prevents it from vibrating properly, it’s often life-changing. Unlike hearing aids that just turn up the volume, a stapedectomy fixes the root problem: a bone that won’t move.

Most people who need this surgery have been told their hearing loss is "conductive"—meaning sound can’t travel right from the outer ear to the inner ear. It’s not nerve damage. It’s mechanical. You might notice you hear better in noisy rooms, struggle with low-pitched sounds, or hear your own voice echo inside your head. That’s otosclerosis. And if medications or hearing aids don’t help enough, a stapedectomy becomes the next step. The surgeon removes the immobile stapes and replaces it with a tiny piston-like device, usually made of titanium or plastic. That piston lets sound waves pass through again, just like they should. Recovery is quick—most people notice improved hearing within days. The success rate? Over 90% when done by an experienced ear specialist.

It’s not for everyone. If you have severe inner ear damage, Meniere’s disease, or are in poor general health, the risks might outweigh the benefits. But for those with isolated otosclerosis and no other ear issues, it’s one of the most reliable fixes in all of ear surgery. You won’t need lifelong devices. No batteries. No adjustments. Just a small incision behind the ear and a return to normal hearing. Below, you’ll find real patient experiences, recovery tips, and comparisons with other hearing treatments—so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.