Optimum Use of Tympanometry in Adults with Down Syndrome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimum Use of Tympanometry in Adults with Down Syndrome
IRAS ID
165342
Contact name
Siobhan Brennan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with Down Syndrome should have yearly hearing checks due to higher risk of middle ear problems and early onset hearing loss. Hearing checks are not always straightforward; relying on different tests including tympanometry (middle ear function check). Shallow or flat tympanometry results can suggest middle ear problems, but not always in adults with Down Syndrome who tend to have small ear canals and middle ear features possibly causing misleading results. Similar features with newborn baby ears resulted in different test settings for reliable tympanometry. This short term Masters degree study looks at whether the best settings are being used for adults with Down Syndrome. For example their ear canal resonant frequency (on which test settings partly depend) may be very different from the general public. Perhaps this should mean using different settings for more accurate results, or different typical tympanometry values to compare with.
Referral to Ear, Nose and Throat specialists may be based partly on tympanometry results so it is useful to check the best test settings are being used for adults with Down Syndrome.
Adults with Down Syndrome will be invited to have movement of their ear drum and ear canal volume measured (tympanometry), resonant frequency of their ear canal measured, their ear drum and ear canal looked at (otoscopy) and photographed (video otoscopy). Ear drum movement will be watched while gently changing air pressure in the ear canal (pneumatic otoscopy). Hearing assessment and informal questions will rule out current middle ear problems. Results will be explained and compared with a control group.
One visit is needed but they are welcome to return after ear wax removal if that prevented participation. Most will be seen following routine hearing check or hearing aid appointments. Home visits or another suitable venue will be considered if preferred (equipment is portable).
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0602
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion