Tympanometry is a useful means of evaluating the status of the middle ear. For the pediatric population, tympanometry is particularly valuable for determining the presence of middle ear effusion. The test has been incorporated in many school hearing conservation programs because of its ease of administration, objectivity, and diagnostic value.
In a study by deJonge and Cummings (1985), the hourly fluctuation of middle ear pressure was reported in a group of kindergarten-age children. The variability of middle ear pressure for that group of children averaged 150 daPa. In the present study, a maturational effect of this hourly fluctuation was observed between a group of first-grade age students and sixth-grade age students. Results indicated the younger group averaged a range of 145 daPa, correlating well with the deJonge and Cummings study, while the older group averaged a range of 92 daPa. Thus, as a child matures, the hourly fluctuation of middle ear pressure decreases significantly.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:pdx.edu/oai:pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu:open_access_etds-5102 |
| Date | 01 January 1989 |
| Creators | Henry, Susan Hogue |
| Publisher | PDXScholar |
| Source Sets | Portland State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Dissertations and Theses |
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