Tympanometry in Neonates- A Comparative Study

Objective: Impairment to hearing during childhood may lead to delay in the speech and language skills, making the communication process more difficult. Early identification and rehabilitation can benefit the children. It is necessary to test the hearing using accurate test procedures. Thus, aim of the study was to compare the use of probe tones (226Hz and 1000Hz probe tone) in tympanometry while testing the neonates for hearing before getting discharged from hospital setup. Method: An inclusion exclusion criteria was applied in selection of 60 neonates (1-17days). Hearing screening with comparison of 226Hz and 1000Hz probe tone in tympanometry was carried out using a comparative study design. Pressure ranging from + 200 to -400 daPa and a pressure change rate of 600/200 daPa per second was used for testing. Intensity of probe tone was adjusted at 85 dB SPL. Comparison was made for type of tympanogram, ear canal volume, compensated static peak acoustic admittance and tympanometric peak pressure. Sampled paired t test was used to carry out statistical analysis. Results: 1000Hz probe tone surpassed the 226Hz probe tone in testing the neonates using tympanometry. A statistically significant difference was observed in all the sub-sections except similar values for ear canal volume. Conclusion: Many changes occur in the ears of neonates like changes in bone density, mesenchymal loss which has an impact on the mechanical properties of the auditory canal and middle ear system. Thus, 1000Hz probe tone in tympanometry serves a promising tool.