Wideband Tympanometry Findings in Otitis Media with Effusion—A Systematic Review

Background/Objective: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a prevalent condition in the pediatric population worldwide. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as permanent middle ear damage and hearing loss. Methods: This study aims to evaluate the utility of wideband tympanometry (WBT) in diagnosing OME in children. A comprehensive literature search was conducted independently by two authors across three major databases—PubMed, Scopus, and Embase covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 11 November 2025. Discrepancies in data extraction or interpretation were resolved by consensus. Results: The study analyzed data from 1115 ears with surgically confirmed tympanic effusion and compared these with 721 ears from healthy controls. The most significant reduction in absorbance values was observed in the low- and mid-frequency ranges. These absorbance parameters effectively differentiated WBT results obtained in healthy children from those in patients with surgically confirmed effusion during myringotomy. Conclusions: In ears with effusion, characteristic alterations in absorbance patterns—reflecting increased stiffness of the middle ear’s mechanical system—can be identified via wideband tympanometry. This novel audiological assessment shows promise for the diagnosis of OME; further research is warranted to validate its clinical utility and to compare it with existing diagnostic methods.