Tympanometry is a simple and safe test used to check the health of your middle ear. It shows how your eardrum reacts to sound and air pressure, helping doctors find the cause of hearing issues. The good news is that most middle ear problems are easy to treat once detected early.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata, our experienced ENT specialists use advanced testing methods to ensure accurate diagnosis and provide gentle, personalised care for both adults and children.
Tympanometry is a simple test used to check how well your middle ear is functioning. It measures the movement of your eardrum when air pressure changes inside your ear canal.
Your ear has three main parts — the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. When sound waves enter your outer ear, they travel as vibrations and hit your eardrum (in the middle ear). These vibrations then pass through the middle ear to the inner ear and are finally converted into electrical signals that your brain recognises as sound.
In simple terms, your middle ear acts as a bridge that carries sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear. If there’s any problem in this pathway — such as fluid, infection, or pressure changes — it can affect your hearing.
Tympanometry helps doctors find out if there are any issues in the middle ear, such as fluid build-up, eardrum stiffness, or other blockages that may interfere with normal sound transmission.
Tympanometry is done to check how well your middle ear is working and to find the reason behind hearing problems or ear discomfort. During the test, an audiologist studies the shape of the graph (called a tympanogram) to understand how your eardrum moves. An unusual curve on this graph may indicate:
If any of these issues are found, the audiologist may refer you to an ENT specialist for further evaluation and treatment. In many cases, conditions like fluid build-up are easily treatable with timely care. However, it’s important to note that tympanometry cannot tell whether the fluid is infected — it only shows if it is present.
This test gives your ENT specialist a clear picture of your ear health so that the right treatment can be started early.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata, the tympanometry test procedure is very quick, safe, and painless. It usually takes 2 to 3 minutes per ear.
Here’s what happens during the test:
The test is safe for adults, children, and even babies. You can go home right after it is done.
Your tympanometry test results are shown as a graph (tympanogram). The doctor studies the shape of the graph to know how your eardrum is moving.
Your ENT specialist in Kolkata will explain your results and guide you through the next steps. If a problem is found, your doctor may suggest medicines, ear cleaning, hearing tests, or surgery depending on your condition.
There is no special preparation needed for tympanometry. However, following a few small steps can help get accurate results:
There are two main types of tympanometry used.
Your ENT specialist will choose the right type based on your symptoms and medical history.
No, tympanometry is not painful. Most people feel only light pressure in the ear for a few seconds. There are no side effects or risks. You can resume your normal routine immediately after the test. It is safe even for infants and young children.
Once your tympanometry results are ready, your ENT specialist will explain them clearly.
If an issue is detected, treatment may include:
Your doctor will guide you at every step until your ear health improves.
We combine modern technology with compassionate care.
The CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata, is known for excellence, safety, and patient-first care.
If you or your child are facing ear pain, infections, or hearing trouble, don’t ignore it. Early diagnosis helps prevent long-term hearing problems. Visit CMRI Hospital, Kolkata, or call our ENT department to book your tympanometry test today. Our caring doctors and audiologists are here to listen, guide, and treat you with kindness and expertise.
No, tympanometry is completely safe. It has no side effects and causes no harm to your ears.
It can detect fluid in the ear, eardrum problems, Eustachian tube blockage, and middle ear infections.
Tympanometry does not measure hearing directly, but it helps find middle ear problems that may cause hearing loss.
No, the test is painless. You may feel mild pressure in your ear for a few seconds.
The test takes only 2 to 3 minutes per ear, and results are available immediately.
Yes, tympanometry is safe for babies and children. It is often used to check for ear infections in young kids.
It depends on your condition. Your ENT doctor may repeat the test if you have frequent ear infections or ongoing ear problems.
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