What does acoustic immittance testing measure?

Acoustic immittance testing is designed to assess the function of the middle ear and the conductive mechanisms within it. This involves measuring two key components: acoustic compliance and middle ear pressure. The resistance encountered by sound as it moves through the ear's conductive structures indicates how well these components are working. By evaluating the mobility of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the functioning of the ossicles (the small bones in the middle ear), practitioners can glean important information about potential disorders or dysfunctions that could affect hearing.

This type of testing provides insights into conditions such as otitis media (middle ear infection), tympanic membrane perforation, and Eustachian tube dysfunction, which all impact how sound is transmitted through the ear.

In contrast, measuring the amount of sound produced by the ear, assessing the clarity of sounds heard, or evaluating the health of the outer ear canal do not specifically reflect the function of the conductive mechanisms and would not provide the same insights into middle ear health.