I had a cholesteatoma in both ears now removed, both had grown into the bone by the brain. I was struggling with the 1st one, neurological symptoms and then discovered the other ear was the same so getting over that now. Since all this I just feel so whacked as it's all been going on for 6 months. I constantly feel like I'm on a boat and hoping because of the damage it has done on the brain it will go once it's healed.
Anyone had a bad experience and recovered from cholesteatoma
Hi. I had one removed in the early 90s. Apart from making me deaf in that ear and leaving me with an open mastoid, I've had no trouble.
Hi Charts
I had surgery for cholosteotoma in 2009, right ear, at my local hospital. During this initial surgery, the hammer and anvil were floating around, so removed. Stapes was still attached to Oval window but fractured. Consequently, I had already lost a lot of hearing since the ossicles had detached. I wasn't told of any other issues but the consultant pulled a face when he told me the cholosteotoma had been really extensive.
I then had another operation 9 months later to check nothing had grown back - all was well.
Late last year I was referred to our nearest major hospital and specialist unit for consideration for reconstruction or for BAHA as I was getting infections when wearing R hearing aid, due to the resultant cavity. So, April I had reconstruction of Middle ear (they wouldn't do it at local hospital because Stapes attached so too risky), Mastoid obliteration and reconstruction of ear canal. I'm hoping soon to be able to wear hearing aid again, which should be better as no cavity, no infections, and already improved hearing due to the titanium 
If you have a cavity as result of the surgery, be aware of the increased possibility of infections and get them seen to promptly, if you can. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll get on really well.
