Tympanometric values in young Malay adults: preliminary data

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.