Which genetic condition causes abnormal growth of the ossicles?

The condition that leads to abnormal growth of the ossicles is otosclerosis. This disorder is characterized by the abnormal formation of new bone in the middle ear, specifically affecting the stapes bone (one of the ossicles). As the disease progresses, the stapes can become fixed in place, leading to conductive hearing loss due to impaired vibration transfer to the inner ear.

Otosclerosis is often hereditary and more common in women, particularly during periods of hormonal changes such as pregnancy. The abnormal bone growth hinders the normal movement of the ossicles, which is critical for efficient sound transmission. Understanding otosclerosis is important because it can significantly impact hearing and is often treated with surgery or hearing aids.

The other options refer to different auditory conditions that do not specifically involve the abnormal growth of the ossicles in the manner seen in otosclerosis. For instance, cholesteatomas are abnormal skin growths in the middle ear that can lead to other complications but do not cause ossicular growth. Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear and can lead to fluid buildup rather than bony changes. Lastly, glomus tumors are vascular tumors that can occur in the ear but are not directly related to ossicular growth.