Tympanometer
Diagnosing chronic otitis media is often a difficult task. But the delivery of sound and air pressure to the ear, precisely measured by advanced microelectronic components, brings otitis media into sharp focus. tympanometry instrument produces an accurate, objective measurement of middle ear status. It also helps detect perforated tympanic membrane, patent tympanostomy tube, ossicular disruption, tympanosclerosis and cholesteatoma. Which can help to remove ear infection . |
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Physics of the Tympanogram
The tympanometer measures the compliance (sometimes called "admittance") of the tympanic membrane while different pressures are being applied to the external ear canal. A probe is inserted into the ear canal and emits a sound signal under different pressure conditions. The tympanometer measures the energy of the sound signal reflected by the TM at these different pressures.
The compliance of the TM is measured in cubic centimeters, and the pressure in the ear canal is measured in decapascals (daPa). The probe has different sized "plugs" that provide a seal at the entrance to the external ear canal. The tip of the probe has a pressure transducer that changes the pressure in the external ear canal from negative, through atmospheric pressure, to positive pressure. While the pressure is changing, a sound transmitter sends a sound wave to the TM. The wave that is reflected from the TM is then picked up by a microphone in the probe. The tympanometer measures the energy of the reflected sound.
If the middle ear space is filled with fluid, most of the sound is reflected back to the probe from the stiff TM, and a flat tympanogram tracing results (low compliance). If the middle ear space is filled with air, and the ossicles are intact, energy is absorbed by the TM, ossicles, and inner ear structures. The tracing will show a "normal" peak with normal compliance. If there is disruption of the ossicles, or if a portion of the TM is flaccid, a large amount of energy will be absorbed into the TM and the tracing will display an abnormal peak (high compliance).
Children under six months of age may demonstrate falsely increased compliance, because the skin and cartilage in the ear canal are quite lax. In this situation, the child may have a middle ear filled with fluid, but still register a compliance within the normal range.
The tympanometer automatically calculates the canal volume. If there is cerumen or other material occluding the ear canal, the volume will measure abnormally low. An accurate tracing cannot be obtained until this material is removed.
Similarly, if there is a perforation of the TM, the tympanometer will measure an unusually large canal volume, because the space of the middle ear and mastoid air cells will be included in the volume calculation.
The Eardoc was tested in the Top Medical University in Europe. The Eardoc test was performed with a Tympanometer on 40 Patients over 6 weeks, it shows with no dugout that the EARDOC opens the Eustachian tube and relives the pain.
For the full clinical trial, or to apply for receiving a free Eardoc and performing a test in your clinic , please contact us