Title: Can resonance frequency of the outer ear be measured in neonates using wideband tympanometry?
Abstract: This study investigated the feasibility of measuring the resonance frequency (RF) in healthy neonates’ ears using wideband tympanometry (WBT). WBT measures admittance and absorbance as a function of frequency and ear canal pressure. Clinically, RF is the frequency at which the susceptance, the vertical component of admittance, equals zero. In this study, RF was successfully measured in 154 ears (114 newborns) out of 297 ears (182 newborns), which passed a battery of tests including automated auditory brainstem response, 1000-Hz tympanometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. The success rate of measuring RF in healthy neonates was 51.9%. The normative data revealed a mean RF of 323 Hz (SD = 67 Hz; range = 240-595 Hz; median = 313.5 Hz; 90% range = 246-440 Hz). No significant gender or ear effects were found. The results of the present study are consistent with the resonance frequency of the outer ear (i.e., elastic ear canal wall) in neonates using a sweep frequency impedance technique (Murakoshi et al., 2013). In conclusion, while it is feasible to measure RF of the outer ear in neonates using WBT, the success rate is low.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot