Validity and reliability of tympanometric measures for pediatric patients.

Sensitivity and specificity of static acoustic admittance (SAA) and tympanometric width (TW) were assessed for 116 pediatric patients. Otologic examination was the validation criterion. Reliability of immediate repeat tympanometric measures (SAA, TW, peak pressure, and estimate of ear canal volume) was also evaluated. A statistically significant change in SAA, with a larger SAA on measure two than measure one, was observed. No significant change across the two sequential measures was observed for TW, peak pressure, or the estimate of ear canal volume. The sensitivity and specificity data collected are discussed with respect to assisting clinicians in selecting tympanometric criteria suitable to their own clinical situation.