can this bony structure get affected or impaired?
Yes, its impairment causes conductive hearing loss
Clinical relevance
Otosclerosis is a congenital or spontaneous-onset disease characterized by abnormal bone remodeling in the inner ear. Often this causes the stapes to adhere to the oval window, which impedes its ability to conduct sound, and is a cause of conductive hearing loss. 
what are the 3 smallest bones in the human body Strapes is one of them what is the size of this above bone? Roughly 3 x 2.5mm which part of the body is this located? Middle ear of humans besides the human, is this bony structure present in other living species in the animal kingdom? It is one of three ossicles in mammals, in non-mammalian four-legged animals its homologous form is called the columella what are the functions this bony structure serves? It transmits sound vibrations from the incus to the oval window, a membrane-covered opening to the inner ear. are there any variations of this bony structure? It appears to be relatively constant in size in different ethnic groups
In 0.01-0.02% of people, the stapedial artery does not regress, and persists in the central foramen. In this case, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all. Yes, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all Yes, in 0.01-0.02% of people, the stapedial artery does not regress, and persists in the central foramen. In this case, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all.
Stapes Stapes Stapes
Variation Variation Variation
The stapes appears to be relatively constant in size in different ethnic groups. In 0.01-0.02% of people, the stapedial artery does not regress, and persists in the central foramen. In this case, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all. Rarely, the stapes may be completely absent.  In this case, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all. Rarely, the stapes may be completely absent.  In 0.01-0.02% of people, the stapedial artery does not regress, and persists in the central foramen. In this case, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all. 
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Stapes [SEP] Clinical relevance
Otosclerosis is a congenital or spontaneous-onset disease characterized by abnormal bone remodeling in the inner ear. Often this causes the stapes to adhere to the oval window, which impedes its ability to conduct sound, and is a cause of conductive hearing loss. Clinical otosclerosis is found in about 1% of people, although it is more common in forms that do not cause noticeable hearing loss. Otosclerosis is more likely in young age groups, and females. Two common treatments are stapedectomy, the surgical removal of the stapes and replacement with an artificial prosthesis, and stapedotomy, the creation of a small hole in the base of the stapes followed by the insertion of an artificial prosthesis into that hole.