Tympanometric values in young Malay adults: preliminary data

Abdul Wahab NA, Rashid MFN
Correspondence: Mr Noor Alaudin Abdul Wahab, alaudin@medic.ukm.my 

ABSTRACT 
Introduction The present study aimed to obtain preliminary tympanometric data of young Malay adults and to compare the results between genders. 
Methods 96 undergraduate students (49 males and 47 females), aged 19–25 (mean and standard deviation 21.14 +/- 1.31) years, participated in this study. Otoscopic examination, pure tone audiometry, qualitative tympanogram and ipsilateral acoustic reflex were measured to ensure a clear ear canal, normal hearing and normal middle ear function, prior to tympanometric measurement. As a result, a total of 154 ears (80 ears from males and 74 ears from females) were selected for further statistical analyses. The tympanometric parameters measured were peak compensated static acoustic admittance (Peak Y_tm), tympanometric width (TW) and equivalent ear canal volume (V_ea). 
Results The results showed that the mean Peak Y_tm, V_ea and TW for males were 0.81 mmhos, 1.48 cubic cm and 113.67 daPa, respectively. The mean Peak Y_tm, V_ea and TW for females were 0.63 mmhos, 1.12 cubic cm and 98.04 daPa, respectively. Males were found to have significantly higher mean V_ea and mean Peak Y_tm than females. However no significant gender difference was observed in the mean TW. 
Conclusion The current study suggests that young Malay adults may require gender-specific Peak Y_tm and V_ea values when implementing a quantitative approach in tympanogram interpretation.