Definition
Tympanometry is a clinical test measuring tympanic membrane (TM) mobility and is graphically displayed as a tympanogram. Tympanometry provides information on acoustic admittance, which is a measure of the ease with which energy flows through the middle ear system, and impedance, which is the opposition to this flow (Hall and Mueller 1997). The tympanogram is a measure of middle ear function and can help differentiate many pathologic conditions. The measurements of acoustic admittance at various pressure points are graphed to form a tympanogram (Katz 2002).
Purpose
Normal hearing depends on the function of the outer, middle, and inner ear. Tympanometry tests the function of the outer and middle ear only. The normal middle ear systemconsists of the TM, three ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes), and an air-filled cavity. The TM “catches” acoustic energy and...
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References
Hall JW, Mueller HG (1997) Audiologists’ desk reference, vol I, Diagnostic audiology principles, procedures, and practices. Singular Publishing Group, San Diego, pp 175–204
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Katz J (2002) Handbook of clinical audiology, 5th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 159–204
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Nakayama, J.R., Ramsey, M.J. (2013). Tympanometry. In: Kountakis, S.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_742
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_742
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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