Application of Impedance Audiometry as a Screening Instrument

Abstract

More than seven-hundred Southeast Alaska pre-school and grade school children were screened with pure tone audiometry and abbreviated acoustic impedance measurements. Impedance data was obtained on 98.8% of the children while audiometric data on only 70.3 % due to early age or lack of cooperation. Over 40% of the children failed impedance screening criteria. Of these 70% had Type C tympanograms and 30% had Type B. Abnormal impedance results were found in nearly 10% of the children who passed audiometric screening. Because impedance testing is particularly suitable to the high-risk pre-school and early grade school population, and because it tests for disease and not just hearing loss, the authors recommend its addition to pure tone testing in screening programs. We would go so far as to say that in younger children if only one were available, impedance testing would be preferred.