daPa
Pronunciation: DEK-ah-pass-kals
Also written as: daPa — decapascals
Abbreviation for decapascals; the unit of pressure used to measure middle ear pressure in tympanometry.
Full Definition
The decapascal (daPa) is the standard unit of middle ear pressure reported in tympanometric results. Normal middle ear pressure typically falls between –100 and +50 daPa, with values outside this range indicating Eustachian tube dysfunction or pathology. Editors must ensure that daPa is not confused with dB (decibels) or Pa (pascals), as misuse can significantly misrepresent clinical findings. The unit should always be written as 'daPa' (lowercase 'd', uppercase 'P', lowercase 'a') without spaces. In some older literature, mm H₂O was used as the pressure unit; if encountered, editors should flag this for author clarification or convert to daPa with a note.
Usage
Usage note: Verify correct capitalisation: 'daPa', not 'DAPA', 'dapa', or 'DaPa'. Flag legacy units (mm H₂O) and query author for conversion.
In Context
- "Peak pressure was measured at –150 daPa, consistent with negative middle ear pressure and suspected Eustachian tube dysfunction." — Tympanometry report
- "The manuscript incorrectly listed middle ear pressure in Pa rather than daPa; both the value and the unit required correction." — Editorial correction log