Tympanometry is a test of the middle ear function and the eardrum. It provides valuable information on the condition of the middle ear and assesses the mobility of the eardrum by varying the air pressure in the ear canal. Prior to tympanometry testing it is important to do an otoscopy to ensure that the ear canal is cleared from impacted earwax and fluid.

• Assess the eardrum movement (compliance)
• Monitor chronic middle ear fluid
• Confirm tympanic membrane perforation
• Monitor Eustachian tube function

It is an objective test and it only takes a few minutes and can be easily performed on patients of all ages. The test is performed by inserting the tympanometer probe in the ear canal which generates a puretone signal and measures the sound reflected from the eardrum at different pressures. The wave form is called a Tympanogram.

It is important to note that Tympanometry is NOT a hearing test. It does not assess the sensitivity of hearing and the results of this test should be viewed together with Puretone Audiometry. The result of the test helps to distinguish between sensorinneural and conductive hearing loss especially middle ear conditions such as otitis media with effusion, otosclerosis, cholesteatoma, tympanic membrane scarring, tympanosclerosis, etc.

The Tympanogram can be broadly classified into 3 types.