Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 83, 507-520. The scope and application of current audiometric tests. Clinical experience with impedence audiometry. This indicates negative pressure in the middle ear space, often consistent with sinus or allergy congestion, or the end-stages of a cold or ear infection. Type C tympanograms (Figure 3) are still shaped like a teepee, but are shifted negatively on the graph. In some cases, these tympanograms are seen when there is a hole in the ear drum the difference lies in the ear canal volume: a larger ear canal volume indicates a perforation in the ear drum. Type B tympanograms are a flat line (Figure 2), which is consistent with middle ear pathology, such as fluid or infection behind the ear drum. Figure 1 shows an example of a Type A tympanogram. Type A tympanograms look like a teepee, and indicate a normal middle ear system, free of fluid or physiological anomalies which would prevent the admittance of sound from the middle ear into the cochlea. There are three main types of tympanograms: A, B, and C. The classification system for tympanograms commonly used today was developed by Liden (1969) and Jerger (1970). Tympanogram showing maximum peak compliance. Pressure is indicated on the horizontal axis of the graph, and is measured in decaPascals.įigure 1. This compliance (static acoustic admittance) is represented by the highest peak of the curve on the graph (Figure 1). Maximum compliance of the middle ear system occurs when the pressure in the middle ear cavity is equal to the pressure in the external auditory canal. Compliance is plotted vertically on the tympanogram, and is measured in ml or mmho. A tympanogram provides information regarding the compliance of the middle ear system (how well sound passes through the eardrum to the middle ear system), ear canal volume, and middle ear pressure. To understand the types of tympanograms, you should first understand the meaning behind the parts of the graph itself. Can you run down the list of common tympanogram types? Answer As a speech pathologist, I routinely come across reports documenting tympanogram results.

Types of tympanograms