Application of Tympanometry in Infants / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effects of multi frequency tympanometry and acoustic stapedius reflexes on the diagnosis of the middle ear functions of infants.Methods Tympanometries with 226,678 and 1 000 Hz probe tones and 500 and 1 000 Hz acoustic stapedius reflexes were performed on infants at age 0~1 year.128 normal infants(256 ears) and 104 abnormal infants(168 ears) were tested with GSI Tympstar middle ear analyzer.Results The patterns of 226 Hz tympanograms were non-peaked,single-peaked and W-shaped.There were no significant differences between two groups of infants aged 0～6 months.The patterns of 678 Hz and 1 000 Hz tympanograms showed significant differences between two groups of infants aged 0～1 year.The outcomes of 500 Hz and 1 000 Hz acoustic stapedius reflexes showed no differences between the same age groups.There were significant differences between normal group and abnormal group.Conclusion Tympanometry with 678 Hz and 1 000 Hz probe tones can yield accurate diagnostic results in the assessment of the middle ear functions for infants younger than six months.The tympanometry with three frequency probe tones is sensitive to infants aged 6～12 months.The outcomes of acoustic stapedius reflexes at 500 and 1 000 Hz show no differences between the same age groups,but presences become more noticeable as a function of ages.