Tympanometry

Your Very Short Introduction to Middle Ear Analysis

What is Tympanometry?

Tympanometry is an objective measurement which provides one way of diagnosing and monitoring problems in the middle ear. Tympanometry helps to find and diagnose disorders that may lead to or have already caused a hearing loss. The tympanogram in conjunction with the audiogram helps to determine whether medical treatment is required or hearing aids should be provided. The full immittance measurement battery including the tympanometry test, the evaluation of the function of the interaural muscles (Acoustic Reflex Test and Reflex Decay) and the Eustachian tube (Eustachian Tube Function) helps to differentiate between different pathology types of the middle ear like:

• Middle ear infection (otitis media)
• Perforation of the eardrum
• Fluid in the middle ear
• Tumor of the middle ear
• Ossicular fixation or discontinuity
• Eustachian tube dysfunction

A tympanometry measurement makes it possible to evaluate the middle ear mobility (compliance) in response to changes in air pressure and gives information about the air pressure status in the middle ear. The results of a tympanometry test are recorded on a graph called a tympanogram. A tympanogram represents the relationship between the air pressure in the ear canal and the compliance of the middle ear, which describes the mobility of the tympanic membrane as well as the mobility of the ossicular chain in the air-filled middle ear space.

How Do You Perform Tympanometry?

Before the test, the ear must be visually examined with an otoscope for structural abnormalities, obstructions, or ear wax. In order to perform a tympanometry measurement a hand-help probe is placed into the ear canal using an appropriate sized ear tip. During the test, a tone of 226 Hz is presented to the ear canal by means of the probe. This tone is used to measure the change in compliance in the middle ear system while the air pressure is varied automatically from a positive value (e.g. +200 daPa) to a negative value (e.g. -400 daPa max). The results in terms of compliance and pressure are recorded in a tympanogram. The patient should not move, swallow or speak during the test. A simple tympanometry test takes up to 5 seconds for one ear.

Fast and Easy Middle Ear Tests with our State-of-the-Art Tympanometers

Choose between handheld tympanometers for mobile tympanometry and tabletop devices for operating tests in your office. Tympanometers from MAICO are available with both screening and diagnostic functions and can be adapted to your needs. Enjoy a large touchschreen with our touchTymp tabletop line or choose the lightweight, handheld easyTymp for immittance measurements with only one hand. MAICO tympanometers can easily be connected to your PC for transferring patient data and test results. While the touchTymp devices come with an optional built-in printer, the easyTymp allows you to stay mobile with the option of a small, portable printer.