Tympanometry

Tympanometry assesses middle ear function by changing air pressure in the ear canal and measuring eardrum (tympanic membrane) mobility. It evaluates middle ear pressure, eardrum compliance, and ear canal volume to detect fluid behind the eardrum (middle ear effusion), eustachian tube dysfunction, perforation, or ossicular chain problems. It’s used with hearing tests to help diagnose and guide treatment.

Tympanometry is generally not painful. A small probe gently changes air pressure in the ear canal to check eardrum and middle-ear function; you may feel a brief pressure, popping, or mild discomfort. The test is quick (seconds), safe for all ages, and requires no anesthesia. If your ear already hurts (infection or perforation), you might feel more discomfort—tell the clinician beforehand.

Tympanometry helps diagnose middle-ear conditions by measuring eardrum mobility and middle-ear pressure. It’s commonly used to detect otitis media with effusion (glue ear), acute otitis media, eustachian tube dysfunction, tympanic membrane perforation, ossicular chain fixation or discontinuity (including otosclerosis), and middle-ear masses such as cholesteatoma. It does not assess inner-ear or neural hearing loss, so further tests may be needed.

An audiogram is a behavioral hearing test that plots hearing thresholds across frequencies using headphones, showing degree and configuration of sensorineural or conductive loss. A tympanogram is an objective middle‑ear test using a probe tone to measure eardrum mobility, middle‑ear pressure and ear‑canal volume, useful for detecting fluid, perforation or eustachian‑tube dysfunction. Audiogram = hearing sensitivity; tympanogram = middle‑ear function.

An ENT examines your ears by asking about symptoms and medical history, inspecting the ear canal and eardrum with an otoscope or ENT microscope, and using a video otoscope or endoscope if needed. They may perform tuning-fork tests (Weber/Rinne), tympanometry, and hearing tests (audiometry). Wax removal, ear cleaning, or referral for imaging or specialist procedures may follow.

Tympanometry is a quick, painless test that usually takes only a few minutes. The actual measurement per ear commonly lasts 2–5 minutes; with setup, instructions and recording, the whole appointment may be 5–10 minutes. Results are immediate. Testing may take longer if the child is uncooperative or additional assessment is needed.