ossicular interruption

pathology

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Ossicular interruption is a condition where the chain of three tiny bones in the middle ear, responsible for transmitting sound vibrations, is disrupted. This disruption can occur due to infection or a head injury. The most common point of separation is where the incus bone connects to the stapes.1

A partial separation leads to mild hearing impairment, while a complete separation results in severe hearing loss. Diagnostic tests reveal that the inner ear's hearing nerve functions normally, but sound conduction from the eardrum to the inner ear is impaired. This condition can often be surgically corrected through tympanoplasty, restoring sound conduction.1

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ear disease
Ossicular interruption
The ossicular chain of three tiny bones needed to carry sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the fluid that fills the inner ear may be disrupted by infection or by a jarring blow on the head. Most often the separation occurs at…
Read More
The ossicular chain of three tiny bones needed to carry sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the fluid that fills the inner ear may be disrupted by infection or by a jarring blow on the head. Most often the separation occurs at…
Read More