Does otosclerosis affect static compliance?

Otosclerosis is a condition characterized by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, which can lead to conductive hearing loss. One of the key features of otosclerosis is its impact on the movement of the stapes bone in relation to the oval window of the cochlea. This immobilization of the stapes can impact the middle ear's overall compliance, which refers to its ability to efficiently transmit sound vibrations.

In terms of static compliance, otosclerosis typically leads to decreased compliance rather than maintaining an average level. When analyzing tympanometry results, conditions like otosclerosis can often show a lower peak compliance value because the stiffness of the ossicular chain is increased due to the bony growth. This decreased compliance results in less effective sound transmission and can be identified in clinical assessments. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects how otosclerosis influences the mobility of the ear structures and subsequently impacts static compliance assessments.