Tympanometry is a test performed to diagnose disorders of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. During the test, a probe is placed inside the ear and an airtight seal is created. Air pressure inside the ear is then increased and decreased at intervals to detect how well the eardrum responds.

A healthy eardrum will contract and relax with changes in pressure. An eardrum that does not react well indicates a disorder of the middle ear, such as:

• Ear infection
• Fluid in the middle ear
• Perforated eardrum
• Impacted ear wax
• Inadequate contact between the middle ear’s conduction bones
• Tumor in the middle ear

Healthcare providers diagnose a patient’s ear problem after analyzing a readout called a tympanogram, which records the results of the tympanometry test. While some patients (particularly children) may be uneasy about a procedure that involves pressure changes inside the ear, tympanometry itself is painless, and most disorders uncovered during the procedure are highly treatable.

Some ear disorders – such as ear infections or fluid in the ear – may be the result of allergies. Allergic reactions can cause a variety of symptoms, including inflammation and blockage of the eustachian tube (connecting the nose to the middle ear). The tube is designed to allow air into the middle ear and to drain fluid from the ears into the nasal cavity. When the eustachian tube fails to work properly, a number of ear conditions can develop.