Multifrequency and multicomponent tympanometry enables evaluation of minute changes in the middle ear system as well as changes in resonant frequency. Change in resonant frequency would indicate a change in the natural characteristics of the middle ear, such as mass or stiffness. Twenty unilaterally implanted children aged 4–14 years, with bilateral severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss participated in this study. Tympanometry using four probe-tone frequencies was carried out in each ear. Total compliance and type of tympanogram was compared across the ear with the cochlear implant and the contralateral ear. Results revealed a statistically significant reduction in admittance on the side with the cochlear implant, suggesting an increase in stiffness in that ear. These results are in line with previous studies which have suggested an increase in fibrous tissue growth post-surgery, which can lead to an increase in ossicular chain stiffness. These findings have implications for electrically evoked stapedial reflex testing and its use for mapping cochlear implant processors in the paediatric population. These results imply that the contralateral ear should be used for eliciting stapedial reflex testing.
Tympanometry with cochlear implants
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