Tympanometry Tests

What is Tympanometry

Tympanometry provides a way, along with a physical exam, for doctors to diagnose and monitor problems in the middle ear.
Tympanometry is a test that shows how well your middle ear is working. It does this by measuring how your eardrum moves.
Your ear consists of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Sound enters through your outer ear as energy or vibrations. The energy strikes your eardrum (located in your middle ear) and travels to your inner ear and brain. There, the energy gets transformed into electrical signals your brain understands as sound.
Think of it this way: Your middle ear moves sound along a pathway where what starts as energy eventually becomes the experience of sound your brain processes as hearing. If something goes wrong along the pathway, you may have trouble hearing.

Tympanometry definitions and terms

In simple terms, tympanometry is a medical test that measures the function and movement of the eardrum and middle ear. The results of tympanometry are represented on a graph called a tympanogram.
Tympanometry can be performed either in a hearing healthcare professional’s or a doctor’s office. First, the clinician will do a visual inspection of your ear canal and eardrum using a lighted scope (otoscope) placed in the ear. Then, a probe with a flexible rubber tip will be placed in your ear. This probe is attached to a tympanometer.

Why is tympanometry used

Tympanometry is typically used to detect or rule out several things: the presence of fluid in the middle ear, a middle ear infection, a hole in the eardrum (perforation), or eustachian tube dysfunction. This test is especially important for children who have suspected middle ear infection or other problems, but it’s also sometimes given to adults as part of a routine hearing test to determine if there are any middle ear problems contributing to hearing loss.
Adults and children who are seeking medical clearance for hearing aids will usually receive a tympanometry test. Fluid behind the eardrum is the most common cause of an abnormal tympanogram because it prevents the eardrum from moving and transmitting sound properly. This condition is nearly always temporary and medically treatable.
If you have fluid in your ear, you may not need hearing aids to correct your hearing loss, but you should consult with your physician or a hearing health professional near you to determine the best course of action.

After the Tympanometry Test

After undergoing a tympanometry test, there are several possible scenarios depending on the results:
Normal results: If the tympanometry results are normal, it indicates that the middle ear is functioning properly, with no abnormalities. Further follow-up tests may not be necessary unless there are specific concerns or symptoms.
Abnormal results: If the tympanometry results are abnormal, it suggests an issue with the middle ear. Further evaluation and follow-up tests may be required to determine the specific cause and appropriate treatment options.
Hearing loss: Tympanometry is an essential tool in diagnosing hearing loss. Abnormal tympanometry results, combined with other types of hearing tests, can help identify the cause and severity of hearing loss, facilitating appropriate treatment.

Tympanometry Procedure

01. Pre-test Inspection for earwax

Before starting the test, the ear canal is checked for earwax blockage. This ensures that the test results are accurate and uninfluenced by obstructions.

02. Placement of a rubber tip in the ear canal

A soft rubber tip is gently inserted into the ear canal. This tip forms an airtight seal, which is necessary for the test to be effective.

03. Client experience

During the test, the client does not need to do anything. They will feel slight pressure changes in the ear and may hear a humming sound. This is normal and part of the process as the tympanometer measures the ear’s response to these pressure changes.

04. Reading and interpreting results on the machine

The tympanometer displays the results on its screen, showing a graph and numerical values for: