
Tympanometry
Industry-leading tympanometers

Otowave 102-C
Handheld screening tympanometer with docking station

Otowave 102
Handheld and portable screening tympanometer

Otowave 202

Otowave 302
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tympanometry measure?
Clinical applications of tympanometry measurements are the identification of:
- Middle ear effusion (Otitis media)
- Perforation or cicatrisation of the ear drum
- Ear grommets
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Tympanosclerosis
- Otosclerosis
- Cholesteatoma
What is a tympanogram?
When the eardrum is activated by a sound wave, part of the sound is absorbed and sent through the middle ear, while the other part of the sound wave is reflected.
A tympanogram is a graphic representation of how the eardrum moves in response to the air pressure in the ear canal when performing tympanometry. The following data is obtained from tympanogram:
- Compliance with the middle ear system
- Ear canal volume
- Middle ear pressure
- Pattern correlated with various disorders
What is a tympanometer?
What is tympanometry?
1Terkildsen, K. and K.A. Thomsen (1959). The influence of pressure variations on the impedance measuring bridge for clinical use. J. Laryngol. Otol. 73, 409-418.
What is an acoustic reflex measurement?
Through this contraction, the ossicular chain and ear drum stiffens as well, leading to a measurable decrease of compliance in the ear canal. The acoustic reflex is measurable in both ears (ipsilateral and contralateral).
Why measure acoustic reflexes?
Acoustic reflexes are regularly used in audiological testing and measure the stapedius and the tensor tympani reflex generated eardrum movement in response to intense sound. Acoustic reflex measurements provide feedback on:
- Type and degree of hearing loss (conductive, sensory, neural)
- Injury of the facial nerve or vestibulocochlear nerve
- Otosclerosis