Wideband tympanometry versus conventional tympanometry results in normal hearing adults

Aim: Tympanometry is the measurement of middle ear elasticity (compliance),due to pressure changes in the outer ear canal. Classical tympanometry is often performed with 226 Hertz (Hz) probe tone. Broadband tympanometry (GBT), which covers all frequencies between 226 Hz and 8000 Hz, provides three-dimensional (3D) analysis of,hundreds of tympanograms obtained with narrow-band click stimuli. In this study, it is aimed to compare 226 and 1000 Hz tympanograms to be extracted from 3D data obtained by GBT with 226 Hz and 1000 Hz tympanograms obtained by conventional methods. Methodology: This study was conducted on healthy volunteers without any otological complaints. Each participant received pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emission, classical 226 Hz and 1000 Hz tympanometry and GBT. Tympanometric peak pressure (TTB), compliance, and ear canal volumes (Vol) were measured for each ear. These parameters, measured in classical tympanometry and GBT, were evaluated separately for the right and left ears and the results obtained from the two devices were compared statistically. Results: The study included 62 healthy individuals (124 ears) aged 18-40 years. The measurement results of both devices for tympanometric peak pressure at 226 Hz were statistically similar. The measurement results of the two devices for the tympanometric peak pressure at 1000 Hz are different. The measurement results of both devices for compliance at 226 Hz are statistically different. The measurement results of both devices for compliance at 1000 Hz are statistically similar. The measurement results of both devices for ear canal volume at both 226 Hz and 1000 Hz were statistically similar. Conclusion: It was noted that there were differences in frequency and compliance between conventional tympanometry and broadband tympanometer and compliance and tympanometric peak pressure parameters. Although broadband tympanometry has several advantages over conventional tympanometry, we think that more normative data should be collected from different ethnicities and age groups for its more widespread use.