impedanometrie
Impedanometrie, also known as impedanometry, is a diagnostic method used to assess the mechanical properties of the middle ear by measuring acoustic impedance or admittance across a range of ear canal pressures. The test provides objective information about middle ear function, the status of the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain, and can aid in evaluating Eustachian tube function. It is commonly used in pediatric and general audiology, as well as in otology for preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up.
The technique relies on a tympanometer, which is placed in the external auditory canal to create a
Interpretation centers on tympanogram shapes and measurements such as peak compliance, middle-ear peak pressure, and tympanometric
- Type A: normal middle-ear pressure and mobility.
- Type B: flat curve, often indicating middle-ear effusion, perforation, or collapsed canal.
- Type C: negative middle-ear pressure suggesting Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Subtypes like As (reduced compliance) and Ad (excessive compliance) describe stiffness or hypermobility of the middle-ear
Limitations include dependence on a proper seal, absence of cerumen obstruction, and interpretation within the broader