Impedance Audiometry

Impedance audiometry is an objective method to assess middle ear function. By increasing the sound pressure in the external auditory canal, impedance audiometry measures the sum of the resistances encountered by a sound wave on its way through the middle ear to the cochlear receptor.

The main purpose of impedance audiometry is to determine the condition of the tympanic membrane and the middle ear by tympanometry. The secondary purpose of this test is to assess the acoustic reflex pathways, which include the VII and VIII cranial nerves (CN) and the auditory brainstem.