otosclerosis
- n hereditary disorder in which ossification of the labyrinth of the inner ear causes tinnitus and eventual deafness
- Beethoven's deafness was probably caused by cochlear otosclerosis, which today might be corrected by surgery.
- A gradually worsening case of otosclerosis, a fusing of the ear's tiny vibrating bones, had forced her to resort to a hearing aid even while performing.
- In 1967 Valli realized he was losing his hearing because of otosclerosis, a rare inner-ear ailment.