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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Jun;38(3):229-235.
doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-1457.

Effect of loading of the central part of the tympanic membrane on pure tone audiometry

M K T M Abdalla  1 , M A Bassiony  1 , M T Aziz  1 , Y G Shewel  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of loading of the central part of the tympanic membrane on pure tone audiometry

M K T M Abdalla et al. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2018 Jun.

Abstract
in English, Italian

This study was conducted to determine the effects of loading of the central part of the tympanic membrane by different weights on pure tone audiometry of healthy ears. Sixty patients with normal otoscopic view, normal pure tone audiometry and wide external auditory canal to allow direct and endoscopic visualization of TM, but without any history of ear surgeries, were selected and divided equally and randomly into two groups. Loading of the central part of the TM was carried out using weights ranging from [(1 λ) 13.6 mg] to [(40 λ) 544 mg]; (λ) is a symbol for the weight of 1 microliter of mercury. The study was carried out in two steps assisted by direct oto-endoscopy, and pure tone audiometry was used to measure the effects of loading on both air and bone conduction hearing. Air conduction hearing thresholds increased in a statistically significant pattern at low frequencies, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz, when the TM was loaded by 340 mg (25 λ). The maximal effect was recorded at 544 mg (40 λ), which affected air conduction hearing at all tested frequencies (500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz). However, no statistically significant effect was detected on bone conduction hearing thresholds throughout the study. In conclusion, loading of the tympanic membrane by different masses affects the air conduction hearing threshold by only 340 mg (25 λ), which is very large in comparison to the mass of ossicles, without any significant effects on bone conduction hearing.

Applicazione di pesi a livello della parte centrale della membrana timpanica: effetti sull’audiometria tonale.

Riassunto: Questo studio è stato condotto al fine di determinare gli effetti sull’audiometria tonale dell’applicazione di masse di peso differente a livello della porzione centrale della membrana timpanica di un orecchio sano. Sono stati selezionati sessanta pazienti con anamnesi negativa per pregressa chirurgia dell’orecchio, aventi otoscopia nella norma, soglia audiometrica tonale nella norma, e un canale uditivo esterno sufficientemente ampio da permettere la visione endoscopica diretta della membrana timpanica. I pazienti sono stati equamente suddivisi in maniera randomizzata in due gruppi, Gruppo I e Gruppo II. Sono state utilizzate masse di differente peso, da 13,6 mg (1 λ) a 544 mg (40 λ); λ è pari al peso di un microlitro di mercurio. Lo studio è stato condotto in due steps, sotto visione otoendoscopica; l’audiometria tonale è stata utilizzata per valutare l’effetto dell’applicazioni dei pesi, sia sulla via aerea sia sulla via ossea. Con l’applicazione di un peso pari a 340 mg (25 λ), la soglia per via aerea è aumentata in maniera statisticamente significativa alle frequenze di 500, 1000 e 2000 Hz. Il massimo risultato è stato ottenuto con un peso pari a 544 mg (40 λ), che ha avuto effetto su tutte le frequenze testate (500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz). Tuttavia, non è stato registrato alcun effetto statisticamente significativo sulla conduzione per via ossea. In conclusione, l’applicazione di pesi a livello della membrana timpanica, utilizzando però masse di peso notevole (340 mg), modifica la conduzione e la soglia per via aerea, ma non ha alcun effetto statisticamente significativo sulla conduzione per via ossea.

Keywords: Compressed aluminum pellets; Hearing threshold; Loading; Pure tone audiometry; The central part of the Tympanic Membrane.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Different weights with different thicknesses and surface area.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The weight loaded on the TM.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Changes in air conduction hearing thresholds at 272 mg.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Changes in air conduction hearing thresholds at 340 mg.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Changes in air conduction hear at 544 mg.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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