{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Evaluation of middle ear function in young children: clinical guidelines for the use of 226- and 1,000-Hz tympanometry.
{Author}: Alaerts J;Luts H;Wouters J;
{Journal}: Otol Neurotol
{Volume}: 28
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: Sep 2007
{Factor}: 2.619
{DOI}: 10.1097/mao.0b013e3180dca1e5
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aims of the study were to evaluate tympanometry with regard to age and classification system using two probe-tone frequencies and to provide clinical guidelines.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Six subject groups were included in the evaluation: (1) neonatal intensive care unit babies, (2) children younger than 3 months, (3) children 3 to 6 months old, (4) children 6 to 9 months old, (5) children 9 to 32 months old, and (6) adults. Hearing of all subjects was screened by means of auditory brainstem responses, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions, or behavioral audiometry. Tympanograms, recorded with probe-tone frequencies of 226 and 1,000 Hz, were classified according to shape and middle ear pressure. Additionally, 1,000-Hz tympanograms were classified based on the Vanhuyse model of tympanometric shapes. Furthermore, tympanometric parameters equivalent ear canal volume, admittance value at +200 daPa, middle ear admittance, tympanometric peak pressure, and tympanometric width were calculated for each tympanogram.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>For clinical purposes, the visual admittance classification system was more suitable than the Vanhuyse model. Furthermore, in children younger than the age of 3 months, 1,000-Hz tympanometry was easier to interpret and more reliable than 226-Hz tympanometry. From the age of 9 months, 226-Hz tympanometry was more appropriate. In children between 3 and 9 months, the reliability of tympanometry was independent of probe-tone frequency. A two-stage evaluation with a 1,000- to 226-Hz tympanometry sequence was preferred because this reduced the total number of tests.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The current study provides normative data and age-related guidelines for the use of tympanometry in clinical practice. These results have led to a successful implementation of 1,000-Hz tympanometry in neonatal hearing assessment.