Tympanometric and Acoustic-Reflex Studies in Neonates

Tympanograms and acoustic reflexes for a broadband noise and for a 1000-Hz tone were measured in normal neonates. Notched tympanograms were typical of neonatal ears for a 220-Hz probe tone. A single-peaked tympanogram was most characteristic for a probe frequency of 660 Hz. Ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes were present more frequently for a 660-Hz probe tone compared to a 220-Hz probe tone, but acoustic-reflex thresholds were not significantly different between probe tones. As with adults, acoustic-reflex thresholds for the noise were significantly lower than for the tone, and ipsilateral reflex thresholds were lower than contralateral reflex thresholds. Reliability of acoustic-reflex and tympanometric measures was high. Age change from 2 to 4 days had no significant effect on tympanometric or acoustic-reflex characteristics. There was no apparent relation between tympanometric pattern and acoustic-reflex characteristics.