Distinguishing Healthy from Otosclerotic Ears: Effect of Probe-Tone Frequency on Static Immittance

Abstract

The diagnostic utility of static immittance (SI) with respect to distinguishing healthy from otosclerotic ears was investigated at different probe-tone frequencies in 68 healthy ears and 36 ears with surgically confirmed otosclerosis. Because one effect of otosclerosis is to shift the resonant frequency of the middle ear to higher values as a result of increased stiffness of the middle ear system, it was hypothesized that SI measured at higher probe-tone frequencies may provide a better distinction between healthy and otosclerotic ears. As expected, the results of this study indicate that SI measured at higher probe-tone frequencies is superior to a standard low probe tone in the detection of otosclerotic ears. Through systematic and objective comparisons of relevant probe-tone frequencies using both group statistics and test performance analysis, the present study suggests 630 Hz as an optimum probe-tone frequency for measuring SI with respect to distinguishing healthy ears from otosclerotic ears.

New methods in acoustic immittance measurements. Part 1. Multicomponent, multifrequency tympanometry

“…podwyższenie f 45 może być objawem otosklerozy. Badania niektórych autorów [27][28][29]) wskazują, że testy diagnostyczne w kierunku wykrywania otosklerozy, wykorzystujące ten parametr jako kryterium, osiągają czułość i specyficzność rzędu 80% [10,22], lepszą niż w testach opartych na częstotliwości rezonansowej -f R .…”

Wideband Acoustic Absorbance in Otosclerosis: Does Stapedotomy Restore Normal Tympanic Cavity Function?*

“…2,3 The audiological techniques for the diagnosis and assessment of otosclerosis are based on the premise that otosclerosis typically increases the stiffness of the middle-ear system, translating to changes in high impedance. 4 The most effective measures for diagnosing otosclerosis are those which assess the relative contributions of mass, stiffness, and resistance. However, there is significant overlap between healthy and otosclerotic ears in measurements obtained using conventional tympanometry with a pure probe-tone at 226 Hz.…”

“…However, there is significant overlap between healthy and otosclerotic ears in measurements obtained using conventional tympanometry with a pure probe-tone at 226 Hz. 4,5 One of the benefits of advanced technology in audiology is the ability to assess a wide frequency band using acoustic immittance measures or wideband tympanometry (WBT). Measuring a wide frequency band allows reflectance and absorbance values to be determined, depending on the device.…”

“…However, there is significant overlap between healthy and otosclerotic ears in measurements obtained using conventional tympanometry with a pure probe-tone at 226 Hz. 4 5…”