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What is it about ?
The “tympanum” is the Latin word for the middle ear or what is also called the “eardrum”. It is closed by the eardrum. In the middle ear, we find the ossicles, surrounded by air. The vibrations of the eardrum and the ossicles transmit sound to the inner ear to transform them into perceptible sounds.
Tympanometry is a test used to find out if there is fluid in the middle ear. This technique tests the mobility of the eardrum, which is determined by ventilation in the middle ear. If the middle ear is well ventilated, the eardrum is quite mobile. If there is too much fluid in the middle ear (for example in case ofear infection (otitis)), the mobility of the eardrum decreases and hearing decreases. This is precisely what tympanometry can demonstrate.
To take this measurement, the ENT (otolaryngologist) places a small tube in the ear canal. Then, a sound is produced which makes it possible to measure the reaction of the eardrum to this sound. This exam only lasts a few seconds and is painless.
The result of this measurement appears as a graph (tympanogram). Sometimes you have to repeat the measurement several times to get a more reliable result. Depending on the shape of the graph, the doctor knows whether there is fluid in the middle ear or not. This analysis can help make the correct diagnosis.
The technique is unreliable in people with drains or diabolos or a perforated eardrum.
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