This article covers the key aspects of cholesteatoma, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options. If you want to obtain additional information about the hearing impairment linked to epithympanic otitis media, you can schedule a complimentary consultation with an Amplifon hearing specialist.

Cholesteatoma, also known as pearl tumor or epithympanic otitis media, refers to the growth of keratinising squamous epithelium in the middle ear.

Cholesteatoma can develop into a chronic middle ear inflammation called chronic bone suppuration, which can cause hearing impairment by affecting the ossicles and surrounding skull bone.
Medical professionals consider cholesteatoma in the ear to be a benign tumor with a high likelihood of successful treatment.

There is no definitive answer to the question of how fast a cholesteatoma in the middle ear grows.

However, as a general rule, the earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated or operated on, the better the outcome. While cholesteatomas can occur at any age, they are more common in children.

During the early stages of cholesteatoma, symptoms may not be noticeable. 

However, initial symptoms are akin to those of a standard chronic middle ear infection, such as ear pressure, pain, and otorrhea (discharge of an unpleasant-smelling fluid from the ear). Moreover, the ear's hearing and balance system may also be affected.

When we examine a healthy ear, we observe that the keratinising squamous epithelium in the outer ear canal and the mucous membrane in the middle ear are entirely separate from each other.

However, there are several reasons why this barrier can be breached. Factors that could potentially trigger cholesteatoma include persistent negative pressure in the middle ear, such as in the case of a prolonged middle ear infection, or a rupture or perforation in the eardrum. When this happens, squamous epithelium may grow in the middle ear cavity, spread, and cause inflammation.