Pregnancy Turns Lo Bosworth's Hearing Loss Into Surgery—Confession

On Thursday, September 10, *The Hills* alum Lo Bosworth posted a short video on Instagram announcing that she had just finished a stapedectomy – a tiny inner‑ear operation – to treat her otosclerosis. She said the first 24 hours after surgery have been “pretty rough,” and that the recovery is tougher than she expected.

Bosworth, 39, has battled progressive hearing loss for several years. She explained that her condition worsened dramatically while pregnant with her daughter Nelle, who was born in January.

The swelling and hormonal shifts of pregnancy reportedly accelerated the fusion of the tiny bones inside her ears, making everyday sounds even harder to hear.

The doctor’s recommendation was to replace the fused stapes bone with a prosthetic one. Although she had worn hearing aids before, Bosworth opted for surgery hoping to restore normal vibration of the ear bones and reduce her dependence on external devices.

## Background & Context

Otosclerosis is a disease in which the small bones of the inner ear fuse together, disrupting their ability to vibrate and transmit sound. When this fusion occurs, hearing loss can be gradual or sudden, depending on how many of the three ossicles become involved.

For many patients, the condition becomes more problematic during pregnancy because hormonal changes can speed up the fusion process.

Bosworth’s hearing decline had already forced her to use hearing aids for several years. She described how her ENT told her that the problem would “get worse in pregnancy.” When Nelle was born, the worsening was “way worse” than anticipated.

The decision to undergo a stapedectomy – a procedure that removes the fused stapes and replaces it with a prosthetic – came after years of limited hearing improvement.

The surgery itself is performed under general anesthesia. It requires the patient to remain perfectly still so the delicate bones can be repositioned. This level of precision is why surgeons often choose general anesthesia despite its risks.

## Recovery Details

In her Instagram clip, Bosworth said, “I had surgery on my inner ear yesterday and the recovery has not been as easy as I thought it was going to be.” She added that after waking from anesthesia her blood pressure dropped, prompting concern among the medical team.

“It was really tough for me yesterday, my blood pressure was really low afterwards, so doctors were really worried,” she said.

The operation also left her with dizziness and vertigo. “Every time I close my eyes I get vertigo,” she explained. “I have to sit for a minute with my feet on the floor to try to get the liquid in my inner ear to balance because then I have to hold onto the walls when I’m walking because I’m so dizzy and have vertigo.”

She noted that balance can be “wonky for a couple days” after such surgery, since fluid in the inner ear may be out of whack. “The biggest thing when you have inner ear surgery is that all of your balance can go wonky for a couple days … while you recover because the fluid in your inner ear is all out of whack or something,” she said.

Bosworth described her night after surgery as “really rough.” She noted that she experienced dizziness and nausea while the medical team worked to increase her blood pressure.

## Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Bosworth remains hopeful about the outcome. She said she believes the procedure was a success because she is “trying to improve [her] lifestyle pretty dramatically.” While she has not publicly confirmed specific goals, her comments suggest a desire to regain normal hearing and reduce reliance on hearing aids.

Her journey underscores how pregnancy can amplify existing health conditions. It also highlights the delicate balance between surgical intervention and postoperative care in ear surgery. As Bosworth continues her recovery, fans will be watching closely to see whether the stapedectomy brings lasting relief to her hearing loss.

In a world where celebrity health updates can feel like gossip, Bosworth’s candid reflection offers a clear, factual account of a medical decision and its aftermath. The next few weeks will reveal how effectively the operation restores her hearing and balance, and whether she can finally enjoy sounds without interference.