Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether the existence of any Carhart notch on audiogram in otosclerosis surgery has any effect on the success of operation.

METHODS: We examined the pre- and postoperative audiograms of 40 patients (11 males, 29 females; mean age 38.7 years; range, 13 to 62 years) included in the study. We divided the patients into two groups as those with or without Carhart notch. We calculated the hearing averages at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz on the audiogram peri- and postoperatively. We investigated whether there was any significant difference in postoperative hearing gain between those with or without Carhart notch.

RESULTS: Of the patients, 24 did not have any Carhart notch (57.5%), while 16 had a Carhart notch (40%). We did not observe any statistically significant difference between airway threshold averages of Carhart (-) and Carhart (+) groups pre- or postoperatively at 1000, 2000 or 4000 Hz. Increase in hearing gain at postoperative 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz was statistically significant in both groups.

CONCLUSION: Otosclerosis surgery is an application that increases hearing gain. The presence of any Carhart notch on audiogram does not seem to affect surgical success; however, studies with wider series are needed to illuminate this.