Tympanometry

A painless test that measures eardrum movement using small pressure changes applied to the ear canal. Evaluates middle-ear fluid, pressure abnormalities, and Eustachian tube function.

Indication

• Follow-up of recurrent middle-ear infection (otitis media) in children and adults
• Suspected middle-ear effusion (otitis media with effusion)
• Assessment of Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Monitoring eardrum perforations or ventilation-tube function
• Differential diagnosis of conductive hearing loss
• Pre- and post-operative follow-up for adenoidectomy or ear surgery
• Determining middle-ear status before fitting a hearing aid

Preparation

• No special preparation is needed for the test
• If excessive earwax is present, the ENT physician removes it before the test
• Avoiding swallowing, talking, and movement during the test is important for accurate results
• Children should be told simply that the test is painless; very young infants can be held in a parent's lap
• Inform the physician of any active ear discharge or recent ear surgery

How it's performed

1. The patient sits quietly while a soft probe tip is placed in the external ear canal
2. The device applies small pressure changes to the ear canal and delivers a low-intensity sound
3. The eardrum's response to these pressure changes is recorded
4. The result is displayed on screen as a graph (tympanogram) and interpreted as type A, B, or C
5. If needed, an acoustic-reflex measurement is performed with a brief louder sound
6. The test takes 2-5 minutes for both ears

Post-procedure

• The result is interpreted by an ENT specialist together with audiometry and clinical findings
• A type B (flat) tympanogram prompts evaluation for middle-ear fluid or perforation
• A type C result leads to follow-up and treatment for Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Periodic repeat testing in children may be performed every 3-6 months during follow-up
• After treatment (medication, ventilation tubes, adenoidectomy), follow-up tympanometry assesses success

Risks

• The test is non-invasive and has no significant known risks
• A mild pressure sensation in the ear canal may cause brief discomfort
• In acute middle-ear infection, the test may be postponed because of pain
• Excessive earwax can produce inaccurate readings; repeating after cleaning may be needed
• In very young infants, the soft structure of the external ear canal may impose certain limitations

FAQ

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