Effect of Different Positions of the Head on Tympanometry Results: An Exploratory Study

• Main Authors: Indranil Chatterjee, Rabi Hembram, Arpita Chatterjee Shahi, Ashok Kumar Sinha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Association of Otolaryngologists of India, West Bengal 2017-04-01
• Series: Bengal Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery
• Subjects: Acoustic Impedance Tests; Tympanogram; Posture
• Online Access: http://bjohns.in/journal/index.php/bjohns/article/view/204
• ISSN: 2395-2393; 2395-2407

Introduction Tympanometry is an objective measure of middle ear function that has been an integral part of the audiological evaluation test battery, for nearly three decades. The parameters of the tympanogram obtained are influenced with many factors such as introduction of positive or negative air pressure, speed of recording tympanogram, etc. This study was aimed to explore the influence of head positioning on tympanometric findings in normal ears. Materials and Methods Thirty ears of fifteen normal hearing subjects (mean age 22.8 years) and five ears of subjects (mean age 23 years) with high negative middle ear pressure were selected for the study. Tympanometry was done in four postures: head erect, head bent forward (chin touching the chest), head in supine and head lateralized towards one side. Results Two different results were obtained. It was interesting to note that the results significantly changed when the tympanogram was recorded after ten minutes in different head positions compared to those taken immediately after changing the head position. Discussion The possible explanation for the effect of duration in different head positions on tympanogram is discussed. Conclusion No significant changes were observed on static compliance, middle ear pressure, ear canal volume and pressure gradient when the tympanogram were recorded immediately bringing head in the particular posture. When head was held in the changed position for ten minutes, significant reduction in the pressure gradient was observed. Further extensive studies may be required to document the relationship between head positioning and tympanometric results.