CHILD’S HEALTH CARE: TYMPANOMETRY AND ULTRASOUND SCANNING
TYMPANOMETRY
This test is used to detect the presence of abnormalities of the middle ear, such as whether fluid is present, or whether there is ‘glue ear’. A sophisticated probe attached to an earplug is placed in the child’s ear. This may be slightly uncomfortable but does not hurt. It will help if you sit your child on your knee during the procedure, and continually reassure him. The probe varies the pressure in the ear and results in a graphic printout which represents the functioning of the middle ear. The doctor uses this to determine whether there are abnormalities which need to be treated. Tympanometry is often performed in conjunction with a hearing test.
Ultrasound is a technique which uses high frequency sound waves to produce an image on a television screen of internal organs. The sound waves are bounced off individual organs, and converted into pictures. Different organs have characteristic appearances on ultrasounds, so structural abnormalities can be discovered in this way. Many organs can be visualised well using the ultrasound technique but not all can.
The procedure is quite painless. The person to be examined is asked to lie on a bed and an instrument which looks like a microphone is covered in jelly and then rubbed over the abdomen. The procedure does not involve the use of radiation.
*34\90\8*
