Tympanometry

Question 1

What is tympanometry measuring

Answer 1

Whether the ME is dominated by stiffness or mass

Question 2

What are the two components of admittance (y)

Answer 2

stiffness and mass

Question 3

Why do we use 226 Hz to measure tympanometry in adults

Answer 3

Their ears are dominated by stiffness

Question 4

**What is the formula for calculating the phase angle of admittance

Answer 4

y (admittance) = g (conductance) + J (bc-bm)

Question 5

What is the unit of measurement for tymps

Answer 5

mmho for admittance or ml (cc) for compliance

Question 6

Which testing conditions are most important when considering the normative ranges for tymps

Answer 6

25 degrees Celsius and sea level

Question 7

What is Multi-Frequency Tympanometry (MFT) used for

Answer 7

Measuring the Resonance Frequency (RF) of the middle ear

Question 8

What happens when the suseptance level becomes 0

Answer 8

mass and stiffness have cancelled each other out

Question 9

What are you measuring when you measure the RF of an infant or neonate

Answer 9

the RF of the outer ear

Question 10

What are the benefits of knowing the RF ranges for different ME pathologies (3)

Answer 10

1. Gives more accurate results for diagnosing otoschlerosis - RF increases because ME is dominated by stiffness
2. Ossicular chain discontinuity - Low RF
3. Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) - Low RF

Question 11

Why are high frequency tymps better for babies

Answer 11

Babies are mass dominated, high f tymps have higher sensitivity and specificity