Impedance Audiometry

Service Description

Impedance Audiometry, also known as Tympanometry or Immittance Audiometry, is a highly valuable diagnostic test that evaluates the function of the middle ear system. Unlike pure tone audiometry, which measures hearing sensitivity, impedance audiometry focuses on how well the eardrum and ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear) respond to changes in air pressure and sound. This makes it an essential tool for detecting conditions that affect middle ear efficiency, such as fluid accumulation, eardrum perforation, ossicular chain abnormalities, or Eustachian tube dysfunction. During the test, a soft probe is gently placed in the ear canal, creating a seal. The probe delivers a tone and varies the air pressure inside the canal. As the pressure changes, the movement of the eardrum is measured and recorded as a tympanogram—a graph that shows how the eardrum responds across different pressure levels. A normal tympanogram indicates healthy middle ear function, while abnormal patterns can reveal specific issues, such as stiffness of the ossicles, fluid behind the eardrum, or a perforated membrane. Impedance audiometry also includes acoustic reflex testing, which measures the involuntary contraction of the middle ear muscles in response to loud sounds. This reflex provides important information about the integrity of the auditory pathway, from the ear to the brainstem. Together, tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing give clinicians a comprehensive picture of middle ear health and auditory function. The test is quick, painless, and suitable for patients of all ages, including infants and children. For pediatric cases, it is particularly useful in identifying “glue ear” (otitis media with effusion), a common cause of hearing difficulties in young children. For adults, it helps differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, guiding appropriate medical or surgical interventions. By offering objective, reliable data, impedance audiometry plays a crucial role in early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment planning. Whether used to confirm middle ear infections, monitor post‑surgical recovery, or assess unexplained hearing difficulties, this test ensures that patients receive the right care at the right time. In combination with other audiological assessments, it empowers specialists to provide a complete understanding of hearing health and to design tailored rehabilitation strategies.