Juvenile Otosclerosis : A Case Report

Abstract

Juvenile otosclerosis is an uncommon but important cause of progressive conductive hearing loss in children and adolescents. Its diagnosis can be challenging because of its rarity, subtle radiologic findings, and similarities to other middle ear pathologies. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl who developed progressive right-sided hearing loss accompanied by intermittent tinnitus, without a history of recurrent otitis media or speech delay. Clinical, audiological, and high-resolution CT evaluations confirmed right-sided Type 1A otospongiosis. As her audiometric thresholds remained stable, a conservative management plan with hearing aids was chosen following shared decision-making with the patient and her family. This case highlights the value of thorough clinical and imaging assessments in diagnosing juvenile otosclerosis and emphasizes that conservative management can be appropriate for selected pediatric patients. Differentiation from congenital stapes fixation is essential given the differing treatment implications. Overall, juvenile otosclerosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric conductive hearing loss, and individualized, multidisciplinary management remains key to optimizing outcomes.