Download PDF
Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 16(03): 353-357
DOI: 10.7162/S1809-97772012000300009
Original Article
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Middle ear resonance in infants: Age effects

Karina Delgado André
1   Specialized in Audiology. Audiologist.
,
Seisse Gabriela Gandolfi Sanches
2   PhD. Audiologist.
,
Renata Mota Mamede Carvallo
3   PhD. Associate Professor FMUSP.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

19 December 2011

05 February 2012

Publication Date:
05 December 2013 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Introduction: The resonant frequency is the probe frequency in which susceptance is 0 due to the neutralization of the forces of mass and stiffness components that control the middle ear. This frequency can be evaluated by multifrequency tympanometry, and the normality value for adults ranges 800–1,200 Hz. Studies about resonant frequency in children are scarce.

Aim: Identify the variation of the resonant frequency in infants between the first days after birth and the third month of life.

Method: Prospective study. Thirty newborns were evaluated at 2 different times: at the neonatal phase up to 12 days of life, and between 72 and 84 days of life. In the first evaluation, we carried out otoacoustic emissions and identified the resonant frequency, and identified the resonant frequency again in the second evaluation.

Results: In the first evaluation, we determined a mean resonance value of 250 Hz for both ears, while that in the second evaluation was 385 Hz. In both assessments, we found no significant differences between the ears. There was a significant difference between the first and second evaluation.

Conclusion: The middle ear resonant frequency in infants is lower in the first days of life due to the influence of the mass component. The present study demonstrated that the resonance frequency increased in the first months of life.

Keywords

acoustic impedance tests - hearing tests - infant
 

  • References

  • 1 Margolis RH, Goycoolea HG. Multifrequency Tympanometry in Normal Adults. Ear&Hear 1993; 14 ((6):) 408-13
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Carvallo RMM. Fonoaudiologia – Informação para formação. Procedimentos em Audiologia. 2003. Rio de Janeiro. Guanabara Koogan, p. 1-22
    Google Scholar
  • 3 Colletti V, Fiorino FG, Sittoni V, Policante Z. Mechanics of the middle ear in otosclerosis and stapedoplasty. Acta Otolaryngol 1993; 113 (5) 637-641
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Frade C, Lechuga R, Castro C, Labella T. Análisis of the resonant frequency of the middle ear in otosclerosis. Acta Otorrinolaryngol Esp 2000; 51 (4) 309-313
    Google Scholar
  • 5 Miani C, Bergamin AM, Barotti A, Isola M. Multifrequency multicomponent tympanometry in normal and otosclerotic ears. Scand Audiol 2000; 29 (4) 225-237
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Colletti V. Methodologic observations on tympanometry with regard to the probe-tone frequency. Acta Otolaryngol 1975; 80: 54-60
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Colletti V. Tympanometry from 200 to 2000 Hz probe tone. Audiology 1976; 15: 106-119
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Colletti V. Multifrequency tympanometry. Audiology 1977; 16: 278-287
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Funasaka S, Funai H, Kumakwa K. Sweep frequency tympanometry: Its development and diagnostic value. Audiology 1984; 23: 366-379
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Levina Lu V, Ivanets IV. Diagnostic implications of examination of middle ear resonance frequency. Vestn. Otorrinolaringol 2002; 2: 11-13
    Google Scholar
  • 11 Zhao F, Wada H, Koiki T, Stephens D. The influence of middle ear disorders on otoacoustic emissions. Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences Feb 2002; 25 (1) 3-8
    Google Scholar
  • 12 Kontrogianni A, Feredidis E, Ntouniadakis E, Psarommatis I, Apostolopoulos N, Adamopoulos G. Multiple-frequency tympanometry in children with otites media with effusion. ORL 1996; 58: 78-81
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Shanks JE. Tympanometry. Ear and Hearing 1984; 5: 268-280
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Valvik B, Johnsen M, Laukli E. Multifrequency tympanometry. Audiology 1994; 33: 245-253
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Carvallo RMM. Ressonância de orelha média através da timpanometria em multifrequência. Rev. Bras. Med. Otorrinolaringol jul 1997; 4 (4) 132-137
    Google Scholar
  • 16 Hanks WD, Rose KJ. Middle ear resonance and acoustic immitance measures in children. J Speech Hear Res 1993; 36: 218-222
    Google Scholar
  • 17 Keefe DH, Levi E. Maturation of the middle ear external ears: acoustic power-based responses and reflectance tympanometry. Ear and Hearing 1996; 17: 361-373
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Holte LA, Margolis RH, Cavanaugh RM. Development changes in multifrequency tympanograms. Audiology 1991; 30: 1-24
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Zlumak AI, Kileny PR. Parameters that affect the measurement of otoacoustic emissions. Head Neck Surg 2001; 9: 279-283
    Google Scholar
  • 20 Wada H, Ohyma K, Kobayashi T, Sunaga N, Koike T. Relationship between evoked acoustic emissions and middle ear dynamic characteristics. Audiology 1993; 32: 282-292
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Wada H, Ohyma K, Kobayashi T, Koiki T, Nogughi S. Effect of middle ear on otoacoustic emissions. Audiology 1995; 34: 61-176
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Silva KAL, Novaes BACC, Lewis DR, Carvallo RMM. Achados timpanométricos em neonatos com emissões otoacústicas presentes: medidas e interpretações. Rev. Bras. Otorrinolaringol 2007; 73 (5) 633-639
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Soares JC, Carvallo RMM. Redução do limiar de reflexo acústico em neonatos sem risco auditivo. Rev. Bras. Otorrinolaringol 2006; 72 (1) 49-54
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 24 American Academy of Pediatrics, Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. Year 2007 Position Statement: principles and guidelines for early hearing detection and intervention programs. Pediatrics 2007; 120 (4) 898-921
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Funasaka S, Kumakawa K. Tympanometry Using a Sweep-Frequency Probe Tone and Its Clinical Evaluation. Audiol 1988; 27: 99-108
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Margolis RH, Hunter LL. Timpanometria: princípios básicos e aplicações clínicas. In: Musiek FE, Rintelmann WF. Perspectivas atuais em Avaliação Auditiva. 2001. , 1ª edição. Barueri. Manole: p. 85–126
    Google Scholar
  • 27 Calandruccio L, Fitzgerald TS, Prieve BA. Normative multifrequency tympanometry in infants and toddlers. J Am Acad Audiol 2006; 17 (7) 470-80
    Article in Thieme ConnectGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Sanford CA, Feeney MP. Effects of maturation on tympanometric wideband acoustic transfer functions in human infants. J Acoust Soc Am 2008; 124 (4) 2106-22
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Couto CM, Carvallo RMM. O efeito da ressonância das orelhas externa e média na captação das emissões otoacústicas. Rev. Bras. Otorrinolaringol 2009; 75 (1) 15-23
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar