wideband-tympanometry-testing

TYMPANOMETERS 

A tympanometer gives hearing care professionals the ability to assess the function of the middle ear. GSI tympanometers include fully clinical and diagnostic instruments, screening devices with limited testing capabilities, handheld or portable options, and combination devices that have more than one modality. The type of tympanometer used in each facility depends on the patient population and specific testing needs. A clinical middle ear analyzer will be the most versatile and includes predefined test types such as tympanometry with multiple probe tones, Y, B, and G immittance options, reflex threshold testing, reflex decay, ARLT, Multi Hz, and ETF tests (intact, patent, patulous). Diagnostic tympanometers allow for basic tympanometry, ipsilateral acoustic reflex testing, and sometimes have the option to upgrade to specific special tests such as contralateral reflex testing or additional probe tones. Screening and handheld tympanometers are limited to basic testing capabilities.

CURRENT GSI TYMPANOMETERS

  • Tympstar Pro clinical tympanometer from Grason-Stadler

    TympStar Pro
  • GSI Allegro handheld screening tympanometer from Grason-Stadler

    Allegro
  • GSI 39 tympanometer and audiometer from Grason-Stadler

    GSI 39
An audiologist using the TympStar Pro tympanometer to test a patient

TYMPSTAR PRO | CLINICAL TYMPANOMETER

The GSI TympStar Pro™ offers comprehensive middle ear testing that supports the needs of hearing healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical settings. Change parameters on the fly and interpret results using the touch screen display. Protocols may be configured to optimize efficiency and workflow. Multiple protocols may be created and assigned to individual users in clinics with multiple practitioners, for maximum efficiency. Reliability, versatility, and confidence in testing are the hallmarks of any GSI tympanometer, including the TympStar Pro. A redesigned shoulder probe and the touch screen display allow hearing healthcare professionals to easily change test ears and test parameters quickly and efficiently. The TympStar Pro continues to be the gold standard for clinical immittance.

 

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An audiologist using a screening tympanometer on a patient

ALLEGRO | SCREENING TYMPANOMETER

The GSI Allegro™ is a handheld screening device ready to take on any testing environment that requires basic tympanometry and ipsilateral reflexes. The Allegro offers quick and easy testing with a logical four button navigation and user configurable test settings. Automatic measurements of middle ear status are completed in seconds. The Allegro includes a portable charging cradle, thermal printer, and carrying case. This makes the Allegro perfect for audiologists who work in varying settings.

 

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An infant undergoing tympanometry testing

GSI 39 | TYMPANOMETER & AUDIOMETER

The GSI 39™ Auto Tymp provides a flexible screening product for tympanometry, acoustic reflex measurements, and audiometry to meet testing needs today and in the future. The product is available in five different versions to address the unique demands of each facility, such as primary care physicians, schools, or satellite offices. All five versions are fast, versatile, and easy to use. It is possible to add additional modalities such as audiometry, contralateral reflexes, or 1000 Hz probe tone as the facility testing requirements expand. A special “combo” probe is an available option with all versions that combines both 226 Hz and 1000 Hz measurement capabilities. Both infant and adult normative ranges may be selected as a guide on the display and printouts.

 

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TYMPANOMETRY BASICS

Find more educational materials about tympanometry by visiting GSI ADVANCE.

WHAT DOES BASIC TYMPANOMETRY TESTING INCLUDE?

Tympanometry is the graphic representation of the acoustic mechanical function of the middle ear. When a pressure sweep is applied to the ear canal, the movement of the middle ear system is displayed. Tympanometry can be performed for screening or diagnostic purposes. Middle ear testing assists in determining the site of lesion of a hearing problem.

WHAT TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTS ARE TYMPANOMETERS USED IN?

Tympanometers are used by hearing care professionals in facilities where hearing testing is performed. This may include clinical settings, academic institutions, or health offices. Diagnostic tympanometers are used in an environment that is appropriate for detailed middle ear testing and can be found in the offices of audiologists and ENT physicians, hospitals, medical centers, and universities. Screening tympanometers are very portable and can be used in a variety of environments such as schools, physicians’ offices, or other healthcare clinics.

WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE OF PATIENTS THAT MAY NEED TYMPANOMETRY TESTING?

Tympanometry is performed on patients of all ages, from newborns to geriatrics. Tympanometry is used on infants and children to confirm ear infections and fluid in the middle ear. A complete middle ear evaluation, including tympanometry, will be performed on adult patients to verify acoustic mechanical function of the middle ear system and neural integrity.

WHAT WILL A TYMPANOGRAM TELL YOU?

The tympanogram provides an objective evaluation of the middle ear and includes measurements of peak pressure, eardrum compliance, and ear canal volume, which will assist in the interpretation of the tympanogram. These measurements help identify or rule out conditions such as fluid buildup, a middle ear infection, or a perforated eardrum, that could contribute to hearing loss.

TYMPANOMETER COMPARISON CHART


PRACTICE TYPE TYMPSTAR PRO GSI 39 ALLEGRO
Private Practice ✔
 ✔
 ✔
ENT Clinic ✔
 
Cochlear Implant Center ✔

Pediatric ✔
 ✔
  
Hearing Aid Dispenser    ✔
 ✔
Satellite Clinic   ✔
 ✔
Hospital ✔
    
University ✔
Veterans Affairs ✔
  
Supervise 4th Year/Rotation ✔
  
EXAM OPTIONS TYMPSTAR PRO GSI 39 ALLEGRO
Screening ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Diagnostic ✔
    
 Reflex Threshold ✔
    
Reflex Decay ✔
    
ETF - Intact and Perforated ✔
    
ETF - Patulous ✔
 
Multi-Hz ✔
 
ARLT ✔

Screening AC Audiometry   ✔
  
HARDWARE TYMPSTAR PRO GSI 39 ALLEGRO
 Printer Optional  ✔
 ✔
External Monitor Optional  
Contra Transducer Phone ✔
 ✔
  
Probe Controls for Testing ✔

TYMPANOMETRY TYMPSTAR PRO GSI 39 ALLEGRO
 Screening Tympanometry ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Screening 1000 Hz ✔
 Optional  
Diagnostic 226 Hz ✔
    
Diagnostic 678Hz ✔
    
Diagnostic 1000 Hz ✔
    
Auto-Start ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Sweep Speed Adjustments ✔
    
Display Y/B/G Values ✔
    
Wide Pressure Range ✔
    
Manual Pressure Control ✔
    
Gradient Displayed ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Jerger and User-Defined Tymp Types ✔
    
Screening Reflex – Ipsilateral ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Screening Reflex – Contralateral ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Reflex Threshold 226, 678, 1000 Hz ✔
    
Multi Plex Pulsed Tone for Reflex ✔
    
Click Stimulus for Reflex ✔
    
Noise Stimulus for Reflex ✔
    
Broadband Noise for Reflex ✔
    
Reflex Decay 226, 678, 1000 Hz ✔
    
User-Defined Screening Protocols ✔
 ✔
 ✔
User-Defined Diagnostic Protocols ✔
    
User-Defined Auto Sequence ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Normative Display ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Custom Start/Stop Levels ✔
   ✔
Audiometry   ✔
  
Auto-Store Sessions to Device ✔
 ✔
 ✔
Internal Memory 100 Sessions 12 Sessions 32 Sessions
GSI Suite/Noah Compatible ✔
 ✔
  
Direct Print ✔
 ✔
 ✔