Tympanometry

Why?

This is an objective test of your middle ear function and is useful for determining whether:

• there is any fluid or congestion in your middle ear
• there is a perforation (hole) in your ear drum
• the ear drum is flaccid and weak
• there is loss of continuity of the ossicles (middle ear bones) by disease or trauma
• a grommet is blocked
• changing pressure in the ear canal causes dizziness indicating a fistula (defect) in the bone surrounding the labyrinth(balance organ)

How?

You are not required to do anything for this test other than sit very still. The audiologist will hold a soft rubber probe at the entrance of your ear canal and you may feel a slight change of pressure in your ear.