Evaluation of Diagnostic Accuracy of Wideband Tympanometry Absorbance for Otosclerosis

Otosclerosis is a common cause of hearing loss, yet diagnosing it remains a challenge. Wideband Tympanometry Absorbance (WTA) has been proposed as a potential tool for improving diagnostic accuracy. The aim of study was to investigate the diagnostic value of WTA in diagnosing otosclerosis by comparing its results in patients with clinically diagnosed otosclerosis and a normal control group. This prospective study was conducted in Mashhad, Iran, from 2022 to 2023, involving 64 participants including otosclerosis and control. Inclusion criteria for the otosclerosis group included a clinical diagnosis of otosclerosis confirmed by audiometric tests and conventional tympanometry, and eligibility for surgical intervention. The control group consisted of individuals with normal clinical audiometric and tympanometric results. Both groups underwent conventional and WTA tympanometric assessments. The evaluation of WTA involved 64 participants, divided evenly between otosclerosis a normal ears group. Conventional tympanometry at 226 Hz showed significant differences in compliance between otosclerosis and normal ears (p = 0.02). In contrast, at 1000 Hz did not demonstrate significant differences in compliance (p = 0.2). Also, WTA did not demonstrate significant differences in compliance (p > 0.9). Measurements of gradient and resonance across both 226 and 1000Hz frequencies showed no statistically significant differences. The sensitivity and specificity of WTA, evaluated through compliance, were 72% and 40%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.50. The study illustrates that while conventional tympanometry is effective in distinguishing otosclerosis from normal tympanic conditions, WTA shows limited diagnostic efficacy. The moderate sensitivity and specificity of WTA suggest that it should not be relied upon as the sole diagnostic tool.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04876-5.