Abstract
In order to evaluate the usefulness of tympanometry as a screening method of school children a pilot study was performed. With Madsen ZO-72, 187 children (39 in the second grade, 43 in the fourth, 25 in the sixth, and 80 in the seventh) were examined by nurse-teachers of their own schools before otoscopic examination. And 9.5% of them failed to pass tympanometric screening criteria. Of those who had undergone tympanometry, 7.0% were detected middle ear disorders by otoscopic examination, while without tympanometric screening, in only 0.7% of 1602 children pathological findings were observed with otoscope.
Using tympanometry in screening programs is based on an assumption that a relationship exists between tympanogram types and the presence of middle ear effusion or other abnormalities of middle ear function. Present screening methods such as pure tone audiometry do not appear to be adequate and therefore we would say that in younger children, if only one method is available, impedance testing would be preferred for the following reasons:
1) it requires less time to complete measurement.
2) it is not greatly influenced by either environmental or motivational factors.
3) the rate of children who cannot be tested is lower.
4) it is quite effective in accurate identification of middle ear problems.
5) it is less affected by test techniques.
Such problems as overreferral and inability to detect sensorineural hearing loss were also discussed.
