What is a common symptom of otosclerosis?

A common symptom of otosclerosis is hearing loss, which occurs due to abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. This growth can cause the stapes bone to become immobilized, impacting the transmission of sound waves to the inner ear. As a result, individuals with otosclerosis often experience gradual hearing deterioration, initially affecting their ability to hear low-frequency sounds followed by higher frequencies as the condition progresses.

In the context of the other options, severe headaches are not typically associated with otosclerosis, as this condition primarily affects auditory function rather than causing neurological symptoms. Difficulty in tasting pertains more to issues with the gustatory system, which is unrelated to bone changes in the ear. Visual impairment is indicative of problems within the visual pathways or structures and does not correlate with the symptoms of otosclerosis either. Each of these options points to different health concerns, making hearing loss the hallmark symptom of otosclerosis.