Multifrequency tympanometry in adults with otitis media with effusion.

We compared the diagnostic values of multifrequency tympanometry (MFT) and conventional 226-Hz tympanometry in adults with otitis media with effusion (OME) and discuss whether the resonant frequency (RF) can be used as a reliable method in adults with OME. Prospective study was designed to compare the normal hearing group and the group with OME. In the OME group (n = 85), conductive or mixed hearing loss was found, air-bone gap was more than 10 dBHL, and acoustic reflex was not elicited. In the normal hearing group (n = 36), pure tone threshold was less than or equal to 15 dBHL and air-bone gap was less than 10 dBHL. Levene's test was used to compare the difference between the OME group and the normal hearing group on day 1, day 15, day 30, day 90, respectively. The relationship among multifrequency tympanometry, 226-Hz tympanometry and acoustic reflex test in ears recovering from OME was also investigated. A statistically significant decrease in RF value was found in ears with OME compared to normative data. In follow-up visits, both the RF values and the percentage of type A tympanograms increased while the percentage of type B and C tympanograms decreased. A high agreement between middle ear resonant frequency test and acoustic reflex test in ears recovering from OME was found. The resonant frequency test provides more detailed information than the 226-Hz tympanometry. Multifrequency tympanometry may be a more sensitive and objective diagnostic tool in adults with OME.