Middle ear disease assessed by impedance in primary school children in south London.

413 children aged 5 to 6 years from twelve randomly selected primary schools in SE London were screened for middle ear disease by the use of tympanography . Those with abnormal tympanograms were retested 10 weeks later. 41% had an abnormality at first test, but half had recovered by second test. Children of African origin were significantly less likely to show abnormalities and in almost none did the abnormality persist; children from poorer families were significantly more likely to have a persistent abnormality. Tympanography is a feasible screening test in children of this age-group and complements audiometry and otoscopy.