is a useful, affordable diagnostic tool in general practice (1)
is a device that provides quantitative information on the function of structures and the presence of fluid in the middle ear
the tympanogram is the graphic display of this data (1)
this provides useful quantitative information about the following (1):
presence of fluid in the middle ear
mobility of the middle ear system
ear canal volume
its uses include
the evaluation of otitis media with effusion and to a lesser extent in acute otitis media (1)
to assess middle ear compliance or to assess nerve deafness in children
it provides a convenient method for screening children for glue ear.
it is based upon two principles:
when sound energy passes down the ear canal, some will be absorbed by the eardrum and some will be reflected back
the proportion of the sound reflected will increase as the pressure in the middle ear falls and the ear drum is stiffened
a tympanogram is constructed by altering the pressure in the external auditory meatus and at each setting, passing sound to the ear and measuring the sound energy reflected. A three channel tympanometer is used - with separate channels for each function.
a pneumatic otoscopic examination of the tympanic membrane should be done prior to tympanometry (1)
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page