Diagnostic value of microtympanometry in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reliability, validity, and feasibility of a new hand held microtympanometer.


METHODS
Comparison of microtympanometry by two independent observations of a general practitioner and a nurse, and against a validated reference instrument.


METHODS
Primary care health centre of a school for the deaf in the United States.


METHODS
111 schoolchildren receiving a regular check up.


METHODS
Tympanometry with the Grason Stadler 28, classified with a slightly modified Jerger's classification.


RESULTS
Interobserver reliability was 0.95 (Cohen's kappa). Results of microtympanometry were highly comparable with results of the reference instrument (likelihood ratio of positive results, 161.2).


CONCLUSIONS
The microtympanometer could be used in general practice: it is hand held, child friendly, easy to handle, and accurate.
de Melker
R A
RA
Department of General Practice, University of Utrecht, Netherlands.
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results