Tympanometry in children with allergic respiratory disease.

The results of pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry were compared in 102 children who were being followed in allergy clinic for allergic rhinitis or asthma. Forty-five abnormal tympanograms were found in 30 children, including six type B tympanograms, 20 type C and 19 with reduced compliance. Acoustic reflexes were absent or elicited only at thresholds greater than or equal to 100 DbHL in 45 ears of 34 children. Agreement between two examiners and tympanometry improved significantly during the study from 62% to 75% and from 62% to 79%, respectively. Tympanometry is an important adjunct to the evaluation of allergic children and supplies objective information useful in teaching proper evaluation of signs of middle ear disease.