Repetitive tympanometric screenings in 4-year-old children. Seasonal influence on secretory otitis and tubal dysfunction.

Repetitive tympanometric screenings of 4-year-old children were performed in February, May, and August 1979, in order to determine prevalence and seasonal variation of secretory otitis and tubal dysfunction. In February, the prevalence of type B was 14%, by August it was significantly improved. Between trials, 50% of ears changed tympanogram type, indicating great variations in the tympanometric conditions. From winter to spring the tympanogram types improved significantly, but not from spring to summer, which was primarily due to the fact that the summer of 1979 was especially rainy and cold. Compared with 2-year-old children, the prevalence was higher and the spontaneous recovery less pronounced in 4-year-old children, though also in this age group type B improved spontaneously in nearly half the ears.