Progress Toward Understanding the Etiology of Otosclerosis and Implications for Future Management

Abstract

Otosclerosis is a disease of the otic capsule that is among the most common causes of acquired hearing loss. During the last 15 years, our laboratory has focused on elucidating the molecular pathology of otosclerosis with the long-term goal of developing better forms of therapy. These studies have brought us to the point where we are ready to consider and develop new and innovative treatment strategies. We have identified a promising pharmacological treatment, have begun to develop and test a drug formulation for use in humans, and have developed an animal model with which to test this therapy.