Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Studies on the use of wideband tympanometry (WBT) for the evaluation of middle ear pathologies have been increasing gradually in recent years. However, studies regarding normative data of WBT are not sufficient. The aim of this study was to determine normative values of WBT for different age groups in Turkish population.

MATERIALS and METHODS: One hundred fifty volunteers from five age-related groups were included in this study. Values of resonance frequency (RF), absorbance percentage according to frequency, maximum absorbance ratio, and maximum absorbance frequency were obtained using WBT. Measurements were recorded at a pressure of 0 decapascal (daPa) using a sound stimulus given at 90±3 decibel sound pressure level (dB SPL).

RESULTS: The RF was detected to be significantly lower only in the group of subjects in the age range of 0–1 month. The absorbance value at 250 Hz was detected to be significantly higher in the age groups of 0–1 month and 1 month–2 years than in the other groups.

CONCLUSION: We believe that the findings obtained in this study would be helpful in determining normative data regarding WBT; by the determination of this normative data, the clinical use of WBT would become widespread.