Do you sometimes feel like you have a hard time hearing? Or does your little one constantly touch their ear, or does it seem like they can't hear you properly when you speak? Today we're going to talk about a very simple, painless, but very important test that can be done to find out exactly what's causing a hearing problem.
What is Tympanometry?
Simply put, tympanometry is a test that measures how well your middle ear is working . It measures the movement of your eardrum.
Think of it this way: our ear is divided into three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Sound waves enter the outer ear and hit the eardrum in the middle ear. From there, the sound travels through the inner ear to the brain. It's like a relay race, passing sound from one place to another. On this journey, if there's an obstruction in the middle ear, such as a fluid-filled sac, our hearing can be impaired. This test helps us find problems in the middle ear.
When is this test needed?
This is sometimes done as part of a routine hearing test. However, it is also important to find the cause of your hearing loss. Your doctor can use the results of this test to decide whether you need a hearing aid or other treatment.
This test is often done on young children, especially because fluid like mucus can accumulate in their ears. If that happens, it can affect not only their hearing but also their ability to speak.
This test is performed by an audiologist, a health professional who specializes in hearing and balance problems.
How is this tympanometry test performed?
A device called a tympanometer is used for this. This is what the test is done with and the results are recorded.
How to do the test step by step
1. How to sit: You will be asked to sit upright in a chair. A small baby can be held on the mother's or father's lap. The most important thing is to remain still and calm during the test. Laughing, talking, or coughing can affect the results.
2. Initial examination: First, the audiologist will look inside your ear using an otoscope, a small instrument with a light. This is to check for any earwax or other debris.
3. Inserting the device into the ear: Then, a small tube-like part (probe) of the tympanometer is inserted into the ear. Its tip is very thin, like an earplug. It forms a tight seal so that no air can enter the ear.
4. Pressure and Sound: Next, you will hear a very faint sound as the machine slowly blows air into your ear. You may feel a slight pressure inside your ear at this time. It is similar to the feeling you get before your ears 'pop' on an airplane. This is not painful.
5. Recording the results: At that time, the way your eardrum responds to air pressure and sound, that is, how it moves, is measured by the machine and recorded on a graph. This graph is called a tympanogram .
Are there any risks with this test?
Not at all. Tympanometry is a very safe and painless test with no risks or side effects . However, a small child may be a little scared. Therefore, if you can show the child what is going to happen before the test using a toy (e.g. a doll), the child's fear can be greatly reduced.
What do the results say?
The shape of the tympanogram graph I mentioned earlier tells you whether your results are normal or abnormal.
- Normal results: If the results are normal, the graph will look like a mountain going up and down. This means that your eardrum and middle ear are working well without any obstructions.
- Abnormal results: If the shape of the graph is different, for example, it looks like a flat line, it means there is something wrong with the middle ear. An experienced audiologist can look at the shape of the graph and get an idea of what the problem might be.
| What can cause an abnormal result? | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Fluid/mucus accumulation in the middle ear | This is the most common cause, especially among young children. |
| Scarring of the eardrum | It may be due to frequent ear infections. |
| Eustachian tube blockage | Blockage of this tube that regulates air pressure inside the ear. |
| Earwax | If the road to Kan Bere was completely blocked by garbage dumps. |
| Middle ear bones (ossicles) not working properly | Limited movement of the tiny bones in the middle ear. |
| Having a hole in the eardrum | If you have a perforated eardrum or if you have one that has healed. |
Based on these results, the audiologist will refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician if necessary. The most common cause, such as earwax, is usually very easy to treat.
What is the difference between Audiometry and Tympanometry?
Although both of these are ear tests, they measure two things.
- Audiometry: This test measures how well you can hear sounds and whether you can distinguish between different sounds (high and low).
- Tympanometry: This measures how well your middle ear is working by measuring the movement of the eardrum.
Simply put, one measures hearing ability, and the other checks for any mechanical problems in the middle ear that may be causing it. Both of these tests can help your doctor find the cause of your hearing problems.
Take-Home Message
- Tympanometry is a painless, quick test that checks how the middle ear is working.
- This can measure the movement of the eardrum and detect problems such as earwax and eardrum perforations.
- This is very important for finding the causes of hearing problems, especially in young children.
- Staying quiet and calm during the test helps to get accurate results.
- Don't be afraid of the results. Your doctor will explain more details and the necessary treatment to you.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න