Tympanometric norms for Chinese schoolchildren.

Current tympanometric norms have acknowledged the relevance of age as an influencing factor. However, little attention has been afforded to other potentialities such as the non-pathological effects of gender, ear asymmetry, and racial heritage. This study aimed to examine normative tympanometric findings in a large sample of Chinese schoolchildren. Using a Madsen 901 Middle Ear Analyzer, data was collected from 269 children (538 ears), ranging in age from 6.2 12.7 years (mean = 9.4 years, SD = 1.7), in Jiangsu province. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the parameters of equivalent ear canal volume (chi = 1.03, SD = 0.25, 90% = 0.68 1.46), peak compensated static acoustic admittance (chi = 0.58, SD = 0.34, 90%=0.26 1.13), tympanometric width (chi = 112, SD = 36, 90% = 62-156), and peak pressure (chi = -25, SD = 30, 90% = -85 -/+ 10). Statistically significant ear asymmetry and grade/age effects were established, although differences found were minor. In comparison with past studies in Caucasian paediatric populations, the Chinese normative data displayed minimal disparities.