Tympanometry a method for analysis of middle—ear function

Abstract

Tympanometry is a method for evaluation of the mobility of the ear drum and the functional condition of the middle ear. This is performed by measuring the ability of the tympanic membrane to reflect a probe tone in response to gradually changing air pressure in the ear canal. Four tympanometric characteristics were measured in a series of 100 normal ears. These results were compared with those obtained in patients with different types of conductive pathology. The observed patterns in these patients with different audiological diagnoses were confirmed by surgery and by comparison with a series of fresh human temporal bones in which discrete lesions were created.