If you are having discomfort in your ear or are noticing hearing loss, your doctor may perform some tests to help diagnose the problem. Tympanometry is a critical diagnostic tool used to evaluate middle ear function and the health of the eardrum and middle ear.
We’ll explore this procedure, how to interpret tympanometry results, and how results can contribute to ongoing treatment for hearing loss.
Tympanometry is a test that checks how well your middle ear is functioning by measuring how your eardrum moves. Your ear is made up of three parts:
When you hear sound, it travels through your outer ear and strikes your eardrum. From there, the middle ear bones vibrate and magnify the sound from the eardrum, transmitting it to the inner ear where the sound is converted into electrical signals that your brain interprets as hearing. [1] The middle ear plays a key role in transmitting this sound energy, which is why tympanometry is important in studying the middle ear.
“While most of us are acquainted with a standard hearing evaluation, tympanometry is less familiar,” says Carrie Meyer, Au.D., Director of Clinical Programs at Amplifon. “Tympanometry is an essential diagnostic tool used to evaluate the health of the ear drum, middle ear structures, and eustachian tube. Helping people understand how tympanometry works as part of a comprehensive hearing evaluation, hearing health care providers can demonstrate how these tests inform hearing aid solutions and support more accurate diagnoses.”
An audiologist—a healthcare professional specializing in hearing and balance—performs tympanometry. They are trained to diagnose and treat hearing problems and help with balance issues.
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Tympanometry is commonly part of a routine hearing evaluation and is used to help diagnose problems in the middle ear that could be causing hearing loss. It’s especially useful if you have ear discomfort with hearing issues.
There are five different tympanometry test results, also known as types. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each of them means about the health of the middle ear:
Each tympanogram type provides valuable information about the health of the middle ear. After receiving your results, you should consult your hearing healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment.
Though it’s important to let your audiologist explain your results, here’s a guideline for some ranges to be aware of. Tympanometry results are displayed as a graph (the tympanogram) that shows how well your eardrum moves in response to air pressure and sound. Here's what to look for:
Normal Tympanometry Results: A healthy eardrum will show a curved graph with a peak.
Abnormal Tympanometry Results: If middle ear dysfunction is detected, the graph may have a flat line or a peak that is skewed to a positive or negative pressure (daPa). Common causes of abnormal results include:
If the results are abnormal, your audiologist might recommend further testing or treatment.
Tympanometry and audiometry sound like they may be similar, but they actually measure different things. Audiometry is a hearing test, tympanometry is an assessment of middle ear function, not hearing.
Both evaluations are essential for understanding hearing loss and diagnosing problems. Read more about audiograms here.
Tympanometry can provide valuable information about middle ear health. Whether you’re dealing with hearing loss, ear pain, or fluid buildup, this test can help pinpoint the issue and guide treatment. If you have concerns about your ear health, it’s always a good idea to speak with an audiologist.
Request an appointment at a hearing care provider near you.
Sources
[1] Mayo Clinic. “Ear Infection (Middle Ear)”. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351622
[2] Cleveland Clinic. “Tympanometry”. Retrieved from
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24222-tympanometry
[3] Cleveland Clinic. “Tympanometry”. Retrieved from
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24222-tympanometry
[4] Cleveland Clinic. “Tympanometry”. Retrieved from
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24222-tympanometry
