Ear drum mobility and middle ear volume measured with tympanometry

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Tympanometry is a standard audiological test.
• It assesses middle ear function by measuring tympanic membrane impedance and compliance.
• The relationship between middle ear volume and mastoid air cell system size requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate tympanometry as a measure of middle ear cleft volume and tympanic membrane displacement.
• To investigate the correlation between tympanometric parameters and mastoid air cell system size.

Main Methods:

• Tympanometry was performed using a 0.22 kHz probe tone frequency.
• Static compliance and ear drum mobility were measured at specific pressure points.
• Middle ear cleft and mastoid air cell volume were indirectly assessed using lateral X-ray projections of the ear.

Main Results:

• No significant correlation was found between static compliance and mastoid air cell area.
• Ear drum mobility, as measured by tympanometry, showed no relationship with the size of the mastoid air cell system.

Conclusions:

• Tympanometry effectively assesses middle ear volume and eardrum mobility in individuals with intact tympanic membranes.
• Tympanometric measurements do not predict or correlate with the size of the mastoid air cell system.