Today, hearing loss in children is especially important because children who experience hearing loss without proper care may face negative effects on language development, learning, emotional health, and social opportunities as they grow into adults. One test that can help identify hearing problems in infants and children is Tympanometry. Hospitals sometimes also perform Tympanometry in seniors to determine whether hearing issues are caused by middle ear problems. This is useful for improving daily communication and ensures that hearing aids, if needed, can work effectively for older adults.

Tympanometry is a test of middle ear function using air pressure; it is not a hearing test. It is performed because the results can indicate abnormalities in the middle ear, such as:

• Fluid accumulation in the middle ear

• Stiffening of the ossicles, which is more common in seniors

• Eustachian tube dysfunction, often seen in children due to underdeveloped tubes, making them more prone to inflammation

When tested at 226 Hz, the tympanogram produces a single, sharp peak, which can be analyzed for abnormalities.

How to read a tympanogram:

• The horizontal axis (X) represents air pressure

• The vertical axis (Y) measures the movement of the eardrum and middle ear system in response to pressure changes

Next, let’s look at sample test results.