Tympanometry Test: Checking Your Middle Ear
- Hearing Solutions
- Mar 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Tympanometry is a quick, painless test that checks how well your middle ear and eardrum are functioning. It helps diagnose fluid, infections, eardrum perforations, and Eustachian tube problems.
Learn more at Professional Hearing Solutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Call 0332-5014111.
What Is Tympanometry?
Tympanometry measures how your eardrum responds to changes in air pressure. A small probe is placed in your ear canal, and the machine generates a graph called a tympanogram. This reveals whether your middle ear is functioning normally or if there is fluid, negative pressure, or other problems.
How the Test Works
The audiologist examines your ear canal with an otoscope first
A soft probe tip is placed at the entrance of your ear canal — it forms a seal
The machine changes air pressure in the ear canal slightly
You feel a gentle pressure change — similar to ascending in an airplane
The eardrum's movement is measured and plotted on a graph
The entire test takes about 2-3 minutes per ear
No response is needed from you — it is completely objective
Tympanometry Results Explained
Type | Graph Shape | What It Means |
Type A | Normal peak | Normal middle ear function — eardrum moves properly |
Type As | Short/stiff peak | Stiff eardrum — possible otosclerosis or scarring |
Type Ad | Tall/floppy peak | Overly mobile eardrum — possible disarticulation of ear bones |
Type B | Flat line | No eardrum movement — fluid in middle ear or perforation |
Type C | Shifted peak | Negative middle ear pressure — Eustachian tube dysfunction |
When Tympanometry Is Needed
Children with suspected ear infections (otitis media)
Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
Hearing loss that may be conductive (middle ear related)
Before hearing aid fitting to rule out middle ear problems
Monitoring treatment progress for ear infections
Suspected eardrum perforation
Eustachian tube dysfunction evaluation
As part of a comprehensive hearing assessment
Types of Hearing Tests Available
Professional Hearing Solutions offers a complete range of diagnostic hearing tests using calibrated audiological equipment. Each test provides specific information about your hearing health.
Test | What It Measures | Duration | Who Needs It |
Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) | Hearing sensitivity at different frequencies | 15-20 minutes | Everyone — baseline hearing assessment |
Tympanometry | Middle ear function and eardrum movement | 5 minutes | Suspected middle ear problems |
Speech Audiometry | Ability to understand spoken words | 10-15 minutes | Hearing aid candidates |
OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) | Inner ear (cochlea) function | 5-10 minutes | Newborns and children |
ABR/BERA | Auditory nerve pathway function | 30-45 minutes | Infants, neurological cases |
What Happens During a Hearing Test
Case History: The audiologist asks about your hearing concerns, medical history, noise exposure, and family history of hearing loss.
Otoscopy: A visual examination of your ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope to check for wax blockage, infection, or structural issues.
Pure Tone Testing: You sit in a sound-treated booth wearing headphones. Tones are played at different frequencies and volumes. You press a button when you hear each tone.
Speech Testing: Words are played through headphones at different volumes to measure your speech understanding ability.
Results Discussion: Your audiologist explains the audiogram results, identifies the type and degree of hearing loss, and discusses next steps including hearing aid options if needed.
Understanding Your Audiogram Results
Hearing Level (dB) | Classification | What It Means | Treatment |
0-25 dB | Normal | No difficulty hearing | No treatment needed |
26-40 dB | Mild Loss | Difficulty hearing soft speech | Hearing aid may help |
41-55 dB | Moderate Loss | Difficulty hearing normal conversation | Hearing aid recommended |
56-70 dB | Moderate-Severe | Difficulty hearing loud speech | Hearing aid essential |
71-90 dB | Severe Loss | Only very loud sounds heard | Powerful hearing aid needed |
91+ dB | Profound Loss | Almost no hearing | Super power aid or cochlear implant |
Who Should Get a Hearing Test?
Adults over 50: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is common. Get tested every 3 years even without symptoms.
Noise-exposed workers: Factory workers, musicians, traffic police, and military personnel should test annually.
Children: Newborns should be screened at birth. Children should be tested before school enrollment and if speech development is delayed.
Anyone with symptoms: Difficulty hearing conversations, asking people to repeat, turning up TV volume, or ringing in ears (tinnitus).
Current hearing aid users: Annual hearing tests ensure your hearing aid settings match your current hearing levels.
Book Your Hearing Test
Walk-in hearing tests are available at both Professional Hearing Solutions branches. For shorter wait times, book an appointment by calling 0332-5014111. Hearing test pricing is confirmed on consultation.
Types of Hearing Tests Available
Professional Hearing Solutions offers a complete range of diagnostic hearing tests using calibrated audiological equipment. Each test provides specific information about your hearing health.
Test | What It Measures | Duration | Who Needs It |
Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) | Hearing sensitivity at different frequencies | 15-20 minutes | Everyone — baseline hearing assessment |
Tympanometry | Middle ear function and eardrum movement | 5 minutes | Suspected middle ear problems |
Speech Audiometry | Ability to understand spoken words | 10-15 minutes | Hearing aid candidates |
OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) | Inner ear (cochlea) function | 5-10 minutes | Newborns and children |
ABR/BERA | Auditory nerve pathway function | 30-45 minutes | Infants, neurological cases |
What Happens During a Hearing Test
Case History: The audiologist asks about your hearing concerns, medical history, noise exposure, and family history of hearing loss.
Otoscopy: A visual examination of your ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope to check for wax blockage, infection, or structural issues.
Pure Tone Testing: You sit in a sound-treated booth wearing headphones. Tones are played at different frequencies and volumes. You press a button when you hear each tone.
Speech Testing: Words are played through headphones at different volumes to measure your speech understanding ability.
Results Discussion: Your audiologist explains the audiogram results, identifies the type and degree of hearing loss, and discusses next steps including hearing aid options if needed.
Understanding Your Audiogram Results
Hearing Level (dB) | Classification | What It Means | Treatment |
0-25 dB | Normal | No difficulty hearing | No treatment needed |
26-40 dB | Mild Loss | Difficulty hearing soft speech | Hearing aid may help |
41-55 dB | Moderate Loss | Difficulty hearing normal conversation | Hearing aid recommended |
56-70 dB | Moderate-Severe | Difficulty hearing loud speech | Hearing aid essential |
71-90 dB | Severe Loss | Only very loud sounds heard | Powerful hearing aid needed |
91+ dB | Profound Loss | Almost no hearing | Super power aid or cochlear implant |
Who Should Get a Hearing Test?
Adults over 50: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is common. Get tested every 3 years even without symptoms.
Noise-exposed workers: Factory workers, musicians, traffic police, and military personnel should test annually.
Children: Newborns should be screened at birth. Children should be tested before school enrollment and if speech development is delayed.
Anyone with symptoms: Difficulty hearing conversations, asking people to repeat, turning up TV volume, or ringing in ears (tinnitus).
Current hearing aid users: Annual hearing tests ensure your hearing aid settings match your current hearing levels.
Book Your Hearing Test
Walk-in hearing tests are available at both Professional Hearing Solutions branches. For shorter wait times, book an appointment by calling 0332-5014111. Hearing test pricing is confirmed on consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is tympanometry painful?
No. You feel only a slight pressure change in your ear. It is completely painless and takes just 2-3 minutes.
Q2: Can tympanometry detect hearing loss?
Tympanometry detects middle ear problems that may cause hearing loss. It is not a hearing test itself — it is combined with PTA for a complete picture.
Q3: Do children need tympanometry?
Yes, especially children with frequent ear infections, speech delays, or school performance issues. It is quick and child-friendly.
Q4: What if my tympanogram shows Type B (flat)?
Type B may indicate fluid in the middle ear or a perforation. Your audiologist will refer you to an ENT specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
Q5: Where can I get a tympanometry test?
Professional Hearing Solutions performs tympanometry at both Islamabad and Rawalpindi clinics. Call 0332-5014111.
Visit Professional Hearing Solutions
Islamabad Branch: Office B-9, Muhammad Gulistan Khan Plaza 82 East, Besides Tehzeeb Bakers, Fazl-ul-Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
Google Maps: View Islamabad Location on Map
Rawalpindi Branch: Office 5/6, Ground Floor, Siraj Plaza, Opposite Rasheed Nursing Home, Adjacent Gulzari Optics, Saidpur Road, Rawalpindi
Google Maps: View Rawalpindi Location on Map
Phone/WhatsApp: 0332-5014111
Website: www.professionalhearingsolution.com
Conclusion
Tympanometry is a quick, painless test essential for diagnosing middle ear problems. Get tested at Professional Hearing Solutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Call 0332-5014111.
