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Tympanometry is a test used to detect disorders of the middle ear.
Alternative NamesTympanogram
How the test is performedBefore the test, your health care provider will look inside your ear canal to make sure there is a clear path to your eardrum.
Next, a device is placed into your ear. This device changes the air pressure in your ear and makes the eardrum move back and forth. A machine records the results on graphs called tympanograms.
How to prepare for the testYou should not move, speak, or swallow during the test. Such movements can change the pressure in the middle ear and give incorrect test results.
The sounds heard during the test may be loud and potentially startling. You will need to try very hard to avoid being anxious and becoming startled during the test.
If your child is to have this test done it may be helpful to show how the test is done using a doll. The more familiar your child is with what will happen and why, the less anxiety he or she will feel.
How the test will feelThere may be some discomfort while the probe is in the ear, but no harm will result. You will hear a loud tone as the measurements are taken.
Why the test is performedThis test measures your ear's responses to the sound and different pressures.
Normal ValuesThe pressure inside the middle ear can vary by 100 daPa (a very small amount). The eardrum should look smooth.
What abnormal results meanTympanometry may reveal any of the following:
- A tumor in the middle ear
- Fluid in the middle ear
- Impacted ear wax
- Lack of contact between the conduction bones of the middle ear
- Perforated ear drum
- Scarring of the tympanic membrane
There are no risks.
ReferencesSeidman MD, Simpson GT II, Khan MJ. Common problems of the ear. In: Noble J, eds. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2001:chap 178.
Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:3514.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 04/26/2010
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What would tympanometry be used to measure?
Tympanometry - A test which measures the function of the middle ear by varying the pressures within the ear canal.
What is the diagnostic procedure used to assess damage to the middle ear?
The procedure is known as tympanometry.
Which diagnostic procedure is an indirect measurement of acoustical energy absorbed or reflected by the middle ear?
Tympanometry
Which diagnostic test involves the use of air pressure in the ear canal to test for disorders of the middle ear?
tympanometry
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What words start with the ty?
Likeable, lively, loveable, lovely, loving and loyal are positive words to describe a person. They begin with the letter L.
Benign ear cyst or tumor?
DefinitionBenign ear cysts are noncancerous lumps or growths in the ear.Alternative NamesOsteomas; Exostoses; Tumor - ear; Cysts - ear; Ear cysts; Ear tumorsCauses, incidence, and risk factorsSebaceous cystsare the most common type of cysts seen in the ear. They are bulging, sac-like collections of dead skin cells and oils produced by oil glands in the skin.They commonly occur:Behind the earIn the ear canalIn the earlobeOn the scalpThe exact cause is unknown, but cysts may occur when oils are produced in a skin gland faster than they can be released from the gland.Benign bony tumors of the ear canal (exostoses and osteomas) may be caused by excess growth of bone. Repeated exposure to cold water may increase the risk of benign tumors of the ear canal.SymptomsThe symptoms of cysts include:Pain (if cysts are in the outside ear canal or get infected)Small soft skin lumps on, behind, or in front of the earThe symptoms of benign tumors include:Ear discomfortGradual hearing loss in one earNote: There may be no symptoms.Signs and testsBenign cysts and tumors are usually discovered during a routine ear examination, which can include hearing tests (audiometry) and middle ear testing (tympanometry). When looking into the ear, the doctor may see cysts or benign tumors in the ear canal.Sometimes a CT scan is needed.This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:Caloric stimulationElectronystagmographyTreatmentIf the cyst or tumor is not painful and does not interfere with hearing, treatment is not necessary.If a cyst becomes painful, it may be infected. Treatment may include antibiotics or removal of the cyst.Benign bony tumors may progressively increase in size. If a benign tumor is painful or interferes with hearing, surgical removal of the tumor may be necessary.Expectations (prognosis)Benign ear cysts and tumors are usually slow-growing and may disappear on their own.ComplicationsHearing loss -- if the tumor is largeInfection of the cystsWax trapped in the ear canalCalling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have:Symptoms of a benign ear cyst or tumorDiscomfort, pain, or hearing loss
Otitis media with effusion?
DefinitionOtitis media with effusion (OME) is fluid in the middle ear space without symptoms of an acute ear infection. Unlike children with an acute ear infection, children with OME do not act sick.Almost every acute ear infection is followed by days or weeks of OME. In addition, many people develop OME without first having acute inflammation.Alternative NamesOME; Secretory otitis media; Serous otitis media; Silent otitis media; Silent ear infection; Glue earCauses, incidence, and risk factorsOME occurs when the Eustachian tube, which connects the inside of the ear to the back of the throat, becomes blocked. This tube helps drain fluids to prevent them from building up in the ear. The fluids drain from the tube and are swallowed.When the Eustachian tube is partially blocked, fluid builds up in the middle ear. Bacteria that are already inside the ear become trapped and begin to multiply.The following can cause swelling of the lining of the Eustachian tube, leading to increased fluid:AllergiesIrritants (especially cigarette smoke)Respiratory infectionsThe following can cause the Eustachian tube to close or become blocked:Drinking while lying on your backSudden increases in air pressure (such as descending in an airplane or on a mountain road)Although many things can lead to a blocked tube, getting water in a baby's ears will not.OME is most common in winter or early spring, but can occur at any time of year. It can affect people of any age, although it occurs most often in children under age 2. (It is rare in newborns.)Younger children get OME more often than older children or adults for several reasons:The tube is shorter, more horizontal, and straighter, making it easier for bacteria to enter.The tube is floppier, with a tinier opening that's easy to block.Young children get more colds because it takes time for the immune system to be able to recognize and ward off cold viruses.The fluid in OME is often thin and watery. It used to be thought that the longer the fluid was present, the thicker it became. ("Glue ear" is a common name given to OME with thick fluid.) However, it is now believed that the thickness of the fluid has more to do with the particular ear than with how long the fluid is present.SymptomsOME often does not have obvious symptoms.Older children and adults often complain of muffled hearing or a sense of fullness in the ear. Younger children may turn up the television volume.Signs and testsMost often OME is diagnosed when the health care provider examines the ear for another reason, such as at a well-child physical.A general ear examination may show:Air bubblesDullnessFluid behind the eardrumReduced movement of the eardrumA test called tympanometry is a more accurate tool for diagnosing OME. The results of the test can help tell the amount and thickness of the fluid.An acoustic otoscope or reflectometer is a more portable device that accurately detects the presence of fluid in the middle ear.An audiometer or some other type of formal hearing test may help the health care provider decide what treatment is needed.TreatmentIn otherwise healthy children, the first treatment is to change environmental factors, if possible. This includes:Avoiding cigarette smokeEncouraging breastfeeding for infantsReconsidering group day careIf the child has allergies, staying away from triggers (such as dust) can help.Most often the fluid will clear on its own. You doctor may suggest waiting and watching to see if the condition worsens.If the fluid is still present after 6 weeks, treatment might include:Further observationA hearing testA single trial of antibiotics (if not given earlier)If the fluid is still present at 12 weeks, the child's hearing should be tested. If there is significant hearing loss (> 20 decibels), antibiotics or ear tubes might be appropriate.If the fluid is still present after 4 - 6 months, tubes are probably needed even if there is no significant hearing loss. Laser myringotomy is a newer alternative to ear tube surgery.Sometimes the adenoids must be removed to restore proper functioning of the Eustachian tube.Expectations (prognosis)Otitis media with effusion usually goes away on its own over a few weeks or months. Treatment may speed up this process. Glue ear may not clear as quickly as OME with a thinner effusion.OME is usually not life threatening, but it may result in serious complications. If there is fluid in the middle ear, hearing will be affected. Hearing problems can interfere with language development in children. Any fluid that lasts longer than 8-12 weeks is cause for concern.ComplicationsAcute ear infectionCyst in the middle earPermanent damage to the ear with partial or complete hearing lossScarring of the eardrum (tympanosclerosis)Speech or language delayNote: Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more ear infections a child has.Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:You suspect you or your child might have otitis media with effusion. Continue to monitor the condition until the fluid has disappeared.New symptoms develop during or after treatment for this disorder.PreventionPrevention tips:Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke, which can interfere with Eustachian tube function.Identify and avoid any allergans that may lead to your child's OME.Consider a smaller day care, especially in the winter months. Day care centers that have six or fewer children result in fewer ear infections.Wash hands and toys frequently.Use air filters and get fresh air to help decrease exposure to airborne germs.Avoid overusing antibiotics. The overuse of antibiotics breeds increasingly resistant bacteria.Breastfeeding for even a few weeks will make a child less prone to ear infections for years.The pneumococcal vaccine can prevent infections from the most common cause of acute ear infection (which leads to OME). The flu vaccine can also help.ReferencesAmerican Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Otitis Media With Effusion. Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics. 2004;113:1412-1429.Paradise JL, Feldman HM, Campbell TF, Dollaghan CA, Rockette HE, Pitcairn DL, et al. Tympanostomy tubes and developmental outcomes at 9 to 11 years of age. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:248-261.
