Tympanometry in otitis media with effusion

This study was conducted on 50 children diagnosed as having chronic middle ear effusion [M.E.E.] depending on full history [no response to medical treatment for 3 months], clinical and audiological examination. Pure tone audiometry and tympanometry were done for every child followed by myringotomy [with detection of the nature of effusion] and tube insertion. Adenoidectomy was done when there was adenoid hypertrophy. Tympanometry was found to be more sensitive in detection of M.E.E. and its nature than pure tone audiometry [which can help diagnosis of mucoid M.E.E. as it is associated with greater degree of hearing loss]. Application of tympanostomy tubes is recommended in cases with type B tympanogram when associated with hearing loss more than 35 dB