Which type of testing provides insights into the mechanical function of the middle ear?

Immittance audiometry is specifically designed to assess the function of the middle ear and provides valuable insights into its mechanical properties. This type of testing utilizes tympanometry and acoustic reflex measurements to evaluate how well the eardrum and the ossicular chain respond to sound.

In tympanometry, a probe measures changes in air pressure in the ear canal, allowing the clinician to assess the mobility of the tympanic membrane (ear drum) and the overall status of the middle ear. By observing how the eardrum moves with different air pressure levels, audiologists can identify conditions such as fluid in the middle ear, eustachian tube dysfunction, or tympanic membrane perforation.

Acoustic reflex testing complements tympanometry by measuring the muscle contractions in the middle ear in response to loud sounds, which indicates the functionality of the auditory pathway. Thus, by combining these techniques, immittance audiometry effectively evaluates the mechanical function of the middle ear.

Other types of testing, such as behavioral testing, electrocochleography, and speech audiometry, focus on different auditory aspects—such as perception, neural responses, or understanding of speech—rather than the specific mechanical function of the middle ear.