Tympanometry
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Tympanometry is an acoustic evaluation of the condition of the middle ear eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal. Tympanometry is an objective test of middle-ear function. It is not a hearing test, but rather a measure of energy transmission through the middle ear. It is not a measure of eardrum or middle ear mobility. It is an acoustic measure, measured by a microphone, as part of the ear canal probe, inserted into the ear canal. The test should not be used to assess the sensitivity of hearing and the results of this test should always be viewed in conjunction with pure tone audiometry. Tympanometry is a valuable component of the audiometric evaluation. In evaluating hearing loss, tympanometry permits a distinction between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, when evaluation is not apparent via Weber and Rinne testing. Furthermore, in a primary care setting, tympanometry can be helpful in making the diagnosis of otitis media by demonstrating the presence of fluid build up in the middle ear cavity.
Tympanometry is an acoustic evaluation of the condition of the middle ear eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal. Tympanometry is an objective test of middle-ear function. It is not a hearing test, but rather a measure of energy transmission through the middle ear. It is not a measure of eardrum or middle ear mobility. It is an acoustic measure, measured by a microphone, as part of the ear canal probe, inserted into the ear canal. The test should not be used to assess the sensitivity of hearing and the results of this test should always be viewed in conjunction with pure tone audiometry. Tympanometry is a valuable component of the audiometric evaluation. In evaluating hearing loss, tympanometry permits a distinction between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, when evaluation is not apparent via Weber and Rinne testing. Furthermore, in a primary care setting, tympanometry can be helpful in making the diagnosis of otitis media by demonstrating the presence of fluid build up in the middle ear cavity.
Tympanometry by end users
Smartphones
There have been a few efforts to lower the cost of tympanometers by using smartphones. In 2022, University of Washington researchers had demonstrated an end-to-end smartphone-based tympanometer system that consists of a portable phone attachment used to change the air pressure in the ear. The smartphone computes and displays a tympanogram and reports peak acoustic admittance in real-time. The smartphone-based system operated at 226 Hz and in proof-of-concept testing showed comparable results to commercial tympanometers. Given the ubiquity of smartphones across the world, these mobile systems may help make these audiology tools accessible across the world.
Consumer devices
Consumer devices have been made to allow checking for middle-ear fluid at home. A 2009 study found the Ear Check Middle Ear Monitor consumer model acoustic reflectometer to give few false negative results in detecting middle-ear fluid; specificity and positive predictive values were modest, with many false positives. The device was no longer available in 2023.
References
Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369653116 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.