Tympanometry: What It Is, How It's Done and What Tympanogram Results Mean
Updated: 2 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: November 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is tympanometry?
Tympanometry is a painless test that checks how well the middle ear works. A probe in the ear changes the air pressure and plays a tone while a device measures how the eardrum moves. It helps find causes of hearing loss such as fluid behind the eardrum, ear infections or blocked eustachian tubes. It takes a few minutes. [1]
What the research says
Tympanometry is one of several good ways to find fluid in a child's ear. A review of methods for detecting middle ear fluid in children with otitis media with effusion found pneumatic otoscopy had a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 80%, doing as well as or better than tympanometry in the studies reviewed. (Takata et al., Pediatrics, 2003) [2]
Newer wideband testing adds detail that standard tympanometry misses. In 49 ears of children having ear tubes placed, wideband acoustic testing classified whether fluid was present with 100% accuracy and could tell full from partial fluid, while standard tympanometry showed no consistent change with the amount of fluid. (Merchant et al., Ear and Hearing, 2021) [3]
Key takeaways
Tympanometry measures how your eardrum moves with sound and changes in air pressure. [1]
It is often part of a complete hearing test and helps identify conductive and mixed hearing loss. [1]
No preparation is needed, and the test takes a few minutes per ear. [1]
It is safe and does not harm your hearing; you may feel brief pressure in the ear. [1]
A type A tympanogram is normal; type B (flat) and type C results are abnormal. [1]
Children often have the test to check for fluid in the ears, which can muffle sound and affect speech and learning. [1]
How your middle ear works
Your ear has three main parts: the outer, middle and inner ear. Sound waves travel into your outer ear and make your eardrum move. The eardrum passes these vibrations through the middle ear to the inner ear, where they turn into electrical signals your brain hears as sound. If something stops the eardrum or middle ear from moving normally, you may not hear as well. [1]
Why is tympanometry done?
Tympanometry gives your audiologist important information about whether your eardrum can move so sound can travel from your outer to your inner ear. It helps identify: [1]
Conductive hearing loss: sound cannot move easily through the outer or middle ear, for example because of fluid, infection, a blocked ear canal or an eardrum problem.
Mixed hearing loss: a combination of conductive and inner ear (sensorineural) hearing loss.
Children may have tympanometry to check for fluid in their ears. This fluid may not hurt, but it can make sounds seem muffled and affect speech and learning. [1]
How does the test work?
The audiologist places a small probe earbud in your ear. It has three tiny openings (ports), each with a different job: [1]
Port | What it does |
Sound port | Sends a tone into your ear to measure how your eardrum moves |
Air pressure port | Changes the air pressure in your ear canal to see how the eardrum reacts |
Measuring port | Records eardrum and middle ear movement and sends it to the tympanometer |
Sources: [1]
How do you prepare?
Adults do not need to do anything. If your young child is having the test, you can help them feel comfortable: [1]
Tell them you will hold them on your lap.
Explain that they need to sit still and stay quiet.
Practice gently touching their ears at home so the earbud feels familiar.
What happens during tympanometry?
You or your child sit upright and stay still and quiet, since movement or noise can affect the result. Then: [1]
The audiologist gently places the earbud in your ear canal, creating a seal.
The tympanometer changes the air pressure in your ear canal to see how your eardrum moves.
The earbud plays a tone, and the test measures how your eardrum reacts to the sound waves.
The device records your eardrum movement and middle ear pressure.
The audiologist removes the earbud.
The test usually takes only a few minutes per ear. [1]
Is it safe?
Yes. Tympanometry is very safe, noninvasive and does not harm your hearing. Some people feel slight pressure or fullness in the ear while the air pressure changes, which goes away once the earbud is removed. [1]
What do tympanogram results mean?
Your audiologist shows you a graph called a tympanogram. There are three main types: [1]
Type | What the graph looks like | What it may mean |
Type A | A peak curving up and over, like a mountaintop | Your middle ear is working normally |
Type B | A flat line | Often fluid behind the eardrum; your audiologist or ENT may explain other causes |
Type C | A smaller peak that does not reach as high as type A | Possible sinus infection, cold or ear infection |
Sources: [1]
What does an abnormal result mean?
A type B or type C tympanogram is considered abnormal. It may mean you have: [1]
Fluid buildup or something blocking your middle ear
A scarred eardrum from infection or fluid
Blocked or clogged eustachian tubes, which control air pressure in your ears
Earwax blocking the ear
Problems with the tiny bones (ossicles) in your middle ear
A hole in your eardrum
If the results suggest an eardrum problem, your audiologist may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) to check for conditions such as fluid or wax buildup or eustachian tube dysfunction. You may also need more hearing tests. [1]
Tympanometry vs. audiometry
Test | What it checks |
Audiometry (hearing test) | How well you hear sounds, including quiet and loud sounds and different types of sound |
Tympanometry | How well your middle ear works, by measuring eardrum movement |
Sources: [1]
Both tests help an audiologist diagnose the cause of hearing loss, and tympanometry may be done before or after a standard hearing test. [1]
Conclusion
Tympanometry is a quick and painless way to check your eardrum and middle ear. Together with a hearing test, it helps your care team find out why you have hearing problems and choose the right treatment. [1]
If you or your child often ask people to repeat themselves or seem to hear muffled sounds, talk to your provider about a hearing evaluation.
Keep learning: Read our guide to the hearing test or our guide to glue ear. For more trusted, doctor-reviewed health guides, visit Rinnit.com.
FAQ
What is tympanometry?
It is a test that measures how your eardrum and middle ear move in response to sound and air pressure. [1]
Why would I need tympanometry?
To help find the cause of hearing loss, such as fluid, infection, earwax or an eardrum problem. [1]
Is tympanometry painful?
No. You may feel brief pressure or fullness in your ear that goes away afterward. [1]
How long does tympanometry take?
Only a few minutes per ear. [1]
Do I need to prepare for tympanometry?
No preparation is needed for adults. [1]
What is a normal tympanogram?
A type A tympanogram, which shows a peak like a mountaintop, means the middle ear works normally. [1]
What does a flat tympanogram mean?
A flat (type B) result often means fluid behind the eardrum. [1]
What does a type C tympanogram mean?
It shows a lower peak and may be caused by a sinus infection, cold or ear infection. [1]
Can tympanometry damage hearing?
No. It is safe and does not harm your hearing. [1]
What is the difference between tympanometry and a hearing test?
A hearing test checks how well you hear; tympanometry checks how well your middle ear moves. [1]
Related Reading
Rinne Test: Tuning Fork Hearing Check and What Results Mean explains the tuning fork test that checks for conductive hearing loss.
Pediatric Hearing Tests: Hearing Checks for Babies and Children by Age explains the hearing tests used for babies and children of each age.
What Is Conductive Hearing Loss? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment Explained explains the type of hearing loss tympanometry helps identify.
Glue Ear: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How It's Treated covers fluid behind the eardrum, a common cause of a flat (type B) tympanogram.
Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment explains ear infections, which can change tympanometry results.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Outlook — What You Need to Know covers blocked eustachian tubes, which tympanometry can point to.
Ruptured Eardrum (Eardrum Membrane Rupture): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment explains a hole in the eardrum, one possible cause of an abnormal result.
Earwax Blockage: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment covers earwax buildup, which can affect the test.
Hearing Loss: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options gives the bigger picture of hearing loss and its treatment.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Tympanometry: Procedure Details & Results. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated February 24, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24222-tympanometry
Takata GS, Chan LS, Morphew T, et al. Evidence assessment of the accuracy of methods of diagnosing middle ear effusion in children with otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics. 2003;112(6 Pt 1):1379-1387. PMID 14654613. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.112.6.1379
Merchant GR, Al-Salim S, Tempero RM, et al. Improving the Differential Diagnosis of Otitis Media With Effusion Using Wideband Acoustic Immittance. Ear Hear. 2021;42(5):1183-1194. PMID 33928915. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000001037
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor about your own diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care right away for severe or sudden symptoms.
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