An experimental investigation of the resolution of tympanometry for micro-perforations of the tympanic membrane

Tympanometry is well established as a useful tool in the field of otologica l diagnosis. There have been sporadic reports, however, of bizarre tympanog rams in the presence of small perforations of the tympanic membrane. A mode l of the outer and middle ears was fabricated which was able to produce nor mal and pathological tympanograms. This model was used to investigate tympa nometry in the presence of microperforations. A hypothesis for the mechanis m of generation of sawtooth tympanograms in the presence of micro-perforati ons is postulated.