Tympanometry
This quick test checks how your eardrum is functioning helping us detect any fluid, blockages, or other concerns so we can guide you toward the right treatment.
Allergies cause inflammation that can extend to the eustachian tubes, the small channels connecting your middle ear to the back of your nose. When those tubes can't open and close properly, pressure builds up and fluid can accumulate, leading to that blocked or muffled feeling in your ears (1, 2).
Yes. Eustachian tube dysfunction can cause ear fullness, pressure, popping and cracklingwithout significant hearing loss (3). Tympanometry picks up issues that wouldn't be obvious from just looking inside your ear.
A small, soft probe tip is placed gently against your ear canal. The device changes the air pressure slightly while playing a low tone and records how your eardrum responds. You may feel some slight pressure and hear some noises during the test but this not uncomfortable. It takes about a 10 seconds per ear and the results are available straight away.
No. You may feel a brief sensation of pressure similar to a change in altitude and there might be some noise during the test.
Yes. It's safe, well tolerated, and particularly useful for young kids showing signs like mouth breathing, ear tugging, or frequent ear infections. The link between childhood allergies and middle ear fluid is well documented (4). The test is also commonly used to check for middle ear infections if there is uncertainty about the diagnosis.
A normal result means your eardrum is moving freely and the pressure behind it is balanced. If the result is flat, it may suggest fluid behind the eardrum. If the peak is shifted, it can mean the eustachian tube isn't opening and closing as it should (1). The eustachian tube not functioning properly can sometimes be sporadic and may not be picked up with a single test.
1. Lazo-Saenz JG, et al. Eustachian tube dysfunction in allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15806058/
2. Evaluation of the Association Between Allergic Rhinitis and Middle Ear Dysfunction. Cureus, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10366557/
3. Juszczak HM, Loftus PA. Role of Allergy in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32648122/
4. Skoner DP. Otitis media and eustachian tube dysfunction: connection to allergic rhinitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1997. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9042072/
