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Tympanometry accurately measures middle ear underpressures in monkeys.
Cuneyt M Alper1, Juliane M Banks, Katherine D Philp
1Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|November 1, 2003
Summary
Tympanometry accurately estimates middle ear underpressure in monkeys. Measurement errors increase with overpressure, but predictions are possible for other species.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical instrumentation
- Animal research
Background:
- Tympanometry is a common audiological test.
- Its accuracy in measuring middle ear pressure is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of tympanometry in estimating true middle ear pressure.
- To investigate the relationship between applied and measured middle ear pressure in a non-human primate model.
Main Methods:
- Tympanometry was performed on 6 monkeys.
- Middle ear pressure was directly applied and measured via a mastoid antrum probe.
- Measurements were taken across a wide range of applied middle ear pressures.
Main Results:
- Tympanometric pressure showed a linear correlation with applied middle ear pressure.
- Overestimations occurred at high overpressures (approx. 40 mm H2O).
- Underpressure measurements demonstrated minimal error.
Conclusions:
- Tympanometry provides a reliable and relatively unbiased estimate of middle ear underpressure in monkeys.
- The study suggests a predictable model for tympanometry measurement error in other species.