Tympanometry and Middle Ear Assessment

A series of flashcards designed to test knowledge on tympanometry, middle ear assessment, and associated concepts.

What does tympanometry measure?

Changes in admittance as a function of pressure changes.

What is the optimal condition for sound transmission through the eardrum?

The pressure in front of the eardrum matches the pressure behind the eardrum.

What does a normal middle ear pressure typically indicate?

Balanced pressure on both sides of the eardrum, usually around 0 decapascals.

What might negative pressure in the ear indicate?

Eustachian tube dysfunction.

What might positive pressure in the ear suggest?

Conditions like fluid buildup or ear infections.

What could cause an unusually large ear canal volume?

Perforation of the ear drum, PE tube, or surgical alteration of the ear canal.

What could cause an unusually small ear canal volume?

Wax or debris in ear canal, atresia of the ear canal, or inaccurate probe placement.

What characterizes a Type A tympanogram?

Normal middle ear pressure, normal admittance, and normal tympanometric width.

What does a Type B tympanogram indicate?

Flat response with low or no admittance, indicating middle ear effusion or extreme negative pressure.

What does a Type C tympanogram suggest?

Normal admittance with negative middle ear pressure, often due to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

What is the goal of Middle Ear Muscle Reflex (MEMR) testing?

To assess changes in admittance of the middle ear based on muscle contraction in response to loud stimuli.

How is the Acoustic Reflex Threshold (ART) determined?

By presenting sound at a loud level and measuring the softest sound that elicits a reflex contraction.

What does a wideband acoustic immittance measure?

The reflectance, absorption, and resonance of the middle ear space.

What is a key frequency used for tympanometric testing in infants?

1000 Hz.

What does this test show

Normal test

What does this test show

Large Ear Canal Eardrum Perforation  

What does this test show

Ear Canal is blocked  

What type of Tympnogram is this

Type A: Normal  

• Normal middle ear pressure  

• Normal admittance  

• Normal tympanometric width  

What type of Tympnogram is this

Type: As " Shallow" 

• Normal middle ear pressure  

• Reduced admittance  

• Normal tympanometric width  

Causes 

• Middle ear fluid  

• Ossicular chain dysfunction 
   

What type of Tympnogram is this

Type: Ad or Add: " High admittance" 

• Normal middle ear pressure  

• High admittance or hypercompliant 

• Normal tympanometric width  

Causes: 

• Disarticulation of ossicles  

• Abnormally thin TM  

What type of Tympnogram is this

Type: B: "Flat" 

• Low (no) admittance  

• Cannot assess TPP 

• TW does not apply  

Causes  

• With normla ear canal volume  

  • Middle ear effusion  

  • Extreme negative pressure 

What type of Tympnogram is this

Type C: "Negative Pressure" 

• Normal admittance  

• Negative middle ear pressure 

• Normal TW 

Causes: 

• Eustachian tube dysfunction 

What type of pressure is this?

normal middle ear pressure

What type of pressure is this?

Positive Middle Ear Pressure

What type of pressure is this?

Tympanometer adjusted pressure

What type of pressure is this?

Low admittance during tympanometer

TPOAEs are better at finding

milder hearing loss

DPOAEs

can only diagnose

focus on specific areas where problem is occurring

focus on individual regions of outer hair cells

What is the term for passing and failing a hearing test

pass and refer

TEOAEs

The first screening done on babies

tests many regions of outer hair cells all at once

This test better at catching milder hearing loss