Related Experiment Videos
Tympanometric measures in older adults
T L Wiley1, K J Cruickshanks, D M Nondahl
1Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Tympanometry in older adults shows increased variability and differences in acoustic admittance and ear canal volume compared to younger individuals. Age and gender significantly impact these measures, necessitating updated diagnostic criteria.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Tympanometry is crucial for assessing middle ear function.
- Normative data for older adults are less established than for younger populations.
- Age-related changes may influence tympanometric parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate tympanometric measures in a large cohort of older adults.
- To identify age and gender-specific differences in tympanometric findings.
- To inform updated tympanometry protocols for geriatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Tympanometric measures were collected from 1240 adults aged 48-90 years.
- Subjects underwent otoscopic examination and pure-tone audiometry to exclude ear pathology.
- Data analysis focused on peak compensated static acoustic admittance (peak Ytm), equivalent ear-canal volume (Vea), and tympanogram width (TW).
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited greater tympanometric variability, lower mean peak Ytm, and higher mean Vea compared to younger adults.
- Within the older cohort, Vea decreased with age, while TW increased.
- Males showed higher peak Ytm and Vea, and slightly lower TW than females.
Conclusions:
- Tympanometric measures in older adults are influenced by age and gender.
- Current tympanometry criteria may not be optimal for the geriatric population.
- Revised protocols incorporating age and gender adjustments are recommended for accurate middle ear assessment in older adults.