Tympanometry
Pronunciation: tim-pan-OM-et-ree
An objective test that measures the mobility (compliance) of the tympanic membrane and middle ear system in response to variations in air pressure.
Full Definition
Tympanometry is performed by sealing a probe tip in the external ear canal and varying air pressure while measuring the acoustic admittance of the middle ear. The resulting tympanogram graphically displays middle ear function and is used to identify conditions such as middle ear effusion, tympanic membrane perforation, or ossicular chain discontinuity. Tympanometric peak pressure, peak admittance (compliance), and ear canal volume are the key parameters reported. Editors must distinguish between the procedure (tympanometry) and its output (tympanogram), and should not conflate it with audiometry.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use 'tympanometry' and 'tympanogram' interchangeably; the former is the test procedure, the latter is the resulting graph.
In Context
- "Tympanometry yielded a Type B tympanogram, consistent with middle ear effusion." — Pediatric audiology report
- "The report incorrectly used 'audiogram' where 'tympanogram' was clearly intended based on the described procedure." — Editorial review note