title: Survey of audiological immittance practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine current immittance practices and trends over time, reasons why multifrequency (MF) and multicomponent (MC) tympanometry have been underused, and the prevalence of negative patient reactions to acoustic reflex (AR) testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two audiological practice surveys were conducted regarding tympanometry (2008, n = 156) and AR (2009, n = 90).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most respondents conduct tympanometry and AR threshold (ART) testing. MF and MC tympanometry were rarely reported, generally due to a lack of equipment and training. ART testing was reported most often using both ipsilateral and contralateral presentation. Contralateral testing has decreased over time. Patient complaints of discomfort following AR testing were common. Complaints of tinnitus or hearing loss were present, although rare.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tympanometry and ART tests have remained popular for the past 30 years, whereas acoustic reflex decay (ARD) testing has decreased in popularity. MF and MC tympanometry are conducted infrequently. AR is frequently associated with discomfort but rarely associated with other symptoms. However, one respondent reported that AR testing had caused permanent tinnitus and hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Towson University, Towson, MD, USA. demanuel@towson.edu
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Emanuel
authors.forename: Olivia E C
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Henson
authors.forename: Rita R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001298:Audiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D003939:Diagnostic Techniques, Otological / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012022:Reflex, Acoustic; D014481:United States