What is Tympanometry? How is the Tympanometry Test Done?

Tympanometry is an examination method for evaluating the ear. The middle ear, which is one of the parts of the ear, is evaluated with tympanometry.

What is tympanometry?

Tympanometry is a method that helps to understand whether the aeration and ossicles in the middle ear are normal. The ear consists of three parts, the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear is the part that includes the auricle and ear canal. The main task of the outer ear is to collect sound waves and transmit them to the inner parts of the ear.

The eardrum, the tympanic membrane, forms the separation between the outer ear and the middle ear. The middle ear is the part that starts with the tympanic membrane and continues with the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, respectively. These structures increase the intensity of sound waves in the middle ear, contributing to better hearing. In order for the sounds in the external environment to be heard in the best way, the pressure in the ear should be equal to the atmospheric pressure outside. This balance between pressures is established through the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube connects the nasopharynx, a structure in the respiratory system, with the middle ear, and equalizes the external pressure and the intra-ear pressure. The Eustachian tube is also responsible for the spread of throat infections, especially in children, to the ear. The middle ear, where the Eustachian tube opens, is connected to the inner ear, where the cochlea is located. The cochlea is a structure in the form of a snail shell and contains fluid. Vibrations reaching the inner ear stimulate the nerves in the cochlea by moving this fluid. Hearing occurs when these nerves reach the brain. In healthy people, the eardrum changes according to the pressure differences in the external environment. The tympanometry test is a method in which these changes in the eardrum are recorded in a device called a tympanogram. Abnormal tympanometry values ​​indicate that the patient has a problem with the middle ear.

How is Tympanometry Performed?

To perform a tympanometry test, the doctor first evaluates the patient's ears with an otoscope. The otoscope is an instrument with a light at the tip, and the tip is designed to enter the ear canal. Therefore, the presence of any obstruction or foreign body in the ears, perforation status is examined with otoscope. In other words, ear canal with otoscope in general. Check if it is clean and clear. In the next step, the doctor places the tympanometry device in the patient's ear canal. This device changes the air pressure in the ear canal and records the change of the eardrum under different pressures. At the start of the test, the device may produce high pitched sounds. The patient is prohibited from speaking, swallowing, or moving during the procedure as it may affect the test results.

Tympanometry test is a simple procedure that takes about 2 minutes for each ear. This process is usually easily applied to everyone. Groups where testing is difficult are mostly infants and young children who have difficulty adjusting to the procedure. In order to avoid problems in the procedure, young children can be exercised before the procedure. In this exercise, children can be told what to do in the process with the help of a doll. Thus, it can be ensured that children stay still during the test and get used to the high-pitched sounds produced by the device. pressure is evaluated. According to the data obtained as a result of this evaluation, tympanometry test values ​​are divided into three main types:

• Type A: According to the results in the tympanogram, it is the type in which the eardrum moves harmoniously against different pressure values. These results appear as mountains on the tympanogram. Type A tympanometry test result is considered normal.
• Type B: It is the type where a straight line result is seen on the tympanogram. A type B result indicates the presence of fluid in the middle ear. Again, in case of perforation of the eardrum, a result of type B can be obtained in the test.
• Type C: There is a mountain view similar to type A in the tympanogram. However, this appearance occurs at more negative pressures and is less high. Type C results can be obtained when there is negative pressure in the middle ear due to a problem in the Eustachian tube. Again, the last stage of ear infection and conditions such as allergy-related congestion are also associated with type C.
• Type Name: It shows us that there is dislocation and separation in the ossicles.

Why is Tympanometry Test Performed?

Tympanometry test is the cause of hearing loss especially in children. used in the investigation of With the tympanometry test, the presence of diseases such as:

• Otitis media, known as otitis media,
• Fluid collection in the middle ear,
• Bone bone problems
  
• Problems with the Eustachian tube.

The tympanometry test can be performed every 15 days for a period of time to see the progress of some ailments such as fluid collection in the ear. According to the test results, it can be determined that the fluid in the ear has increased or decreased. Tympanometry test values ​​give information about whether the patient's middle ear health is good. Tympanometry normal values ​​mean that the eardrum moves normally, there is no fluid in the middle ear, and the movements of the bones in the middle ear are normal. does not appear to be. In the presence of perforation in the eardrum or fluid in the middle ear, the eardrum does not move and remains flat against pressure changes. Some of the other conditions that may cause abnormal results in tympanometry are as follows:

• The formation of scar tissue in the eardrum due to ear infections,
• The pressure in the middle ear is different from the normal range,
• Tumor structures in the middle ear,
• Problems that restrict the movements of the bones in the middle ear,
• The presence of earwax that prevents the movement of the eardrum.

Tympanometry test, especially in childhood It is used in the investigation of hearing loss in the elderly. Conditions that can often cause hearing loss in children include otitis media. The reason why this condition, also known as serous otitis media, affects children more, is the location of the eustachian tube. The eustachian tube is physiologically more horizontal and shorter in childhood. In this case, the nasopharynx, which is a part of the respiratory system, and the middle ear become closer to each other. Therefore, throat and adenoid infections seen in children often spread to the ear. In adults, spread of infection occurs less frequently, as the external auditory canal is in a more upright position. Otitis media can cause the following symptoms in children:

• Ear pain,
• Fever,
• Tinnitus
• Difficulty in sleeping,
• Headache,
• Loss of appetite,
• Restlessness,
• Liquid from ear

Normally, there is a small amount of fluid accumulation in the middle ear and this fluid is removed from the ear via the Eustachian tube. However, in case of inflammation, problems in the discharge of this fluid may occur; As a result, fluid may accumulate in the middle ear and serous otitis media develops. Different damages such as fluid accumulation and rupture of the eardrum caused by inflammation prevent the middle ear structures from functioning normally. All these can lead to problems such as hearing loss or hearing loss in the child. Tympanometry is mainly used to detect these changes in the middle ear.

Middle ear inflammation is a very common disorder in childhood. Although this discomfort does not always cause permanent damage to the ear, in some cases it can lead to problems leading to hearing loss. Tympanometry is applied to detect the conditions that cause hearing problems in the middle ear. With this procedure, it is checked whether the middle ear structures are normal. People who have hearing problems should definitely go to a well-equipped health center and have tympanometry done. With this test, which is quite simple, the problem in the ear is understood in a few minutes and the treatment is started.

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