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What is an Immittance?

H. Bliss
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Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 9,204
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The word immittance refers to the speed at which a sound travels from one material to another. It is most often seen used in medical offices that specialize in hearing. Immittance is instrumental in a type of hearing test called tympanography or immittance audiology. This type of testing generally focuses on how sound travels from the middle ear to the inner ear and how pressure changes affect the ear drum. It is used to determine the nature of, and possible sources behind, hearing problems, and it is one of several tests that can help a hearing specialist determine whether a patient needs a hearing aid.

Immittance testing is usually performed by inserting a sterile probe into the middle ear that seals the ear. Once it is sealed, the probe performs pressure changes and records the ear drum changes and muscle reflex changes that occur within the ear in response to the pressure changes. Pediatricians can use this test to determine whether a child with hearing problems has fluid buildup in her ear. If the child already has fluid drainage tubes inserted into her ear, the immittance test can determine whether they are working to drain fluid.

Other types of hearing tests include sound field testing, headphone testing, bone conduction testing, and otoacoustic testing. Each type of test uses a different technique to focus on testing a specific part of the ear. Generally, the results of multiple tests are combined to give a hearing specialist a better idea of the causes of any hearing problems he finds.

Sound field testing tests how a patient hears sounds played in a room through a speaker located in the room. Headphone testing is performed by playing sounds through speakers in a headphone set worn by the patient, and can help determine signs of hearing loss in each ear individually. Bone conduction testing shows how much sound is conducted through the bones and nerves in a patient's head. Otoacoustic testing tests the inner ear and the function of the sound-conductive hairs within the ears.

In electronics, immittance is a term that describes both the impedance and admittance of an electric current. Immittance does not have a defined unit of measurement because it refers to both conditions. Impedance is a measure of the opposition to alternating current (AC) electricity. Admittance is the opposite of impedance; it is the measure of current that flows through the conductive object.

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H. Bliss
By H. Bliss
Heather Bliss, a passionate writer with a background in communication, brings her love for connecting with others to her work. With a relevant degree, she crafts compelling content that informs and inspires, showcasing her unique perspective and her commitment to making a difference.
Discussion Comments
By serenesurface — On Mar 29, 2012

@burcidi-- Oh no, it doesn't hurt at all and it only takes about ten minutes. Like all audiometric tests, it's not an invasive procedure, it doesn't do anything to your ear. You really don't need to worry at all.

All they do is put in a little plug like thing into your ear. It changes the pressure in your ears to see how the eardrum reacts to it. You won't feel anything at all, and there is certainly no irritation.

Sometimes they may test for other things at the same time, like how your eardrum reacts to sounds as well as pressure. But that's not irritating either.

I got my test results the same day, but it might be given the next day too depending on how busy the hospital is.

By burcidi — On Mar 28, 2012

@anamur-- I'm going to have to get an immittance next week to test my hearing.

Can I ask you, was it painful at all? How long did the test take? How soon do the results come out?

My doctor called me in to give me an appointment for it so I didn't have a chance to ask him. My ears are really sensitive, so I'm kind of worried that the test might be painful.

By serenesurface — On Mar 28, 2012

I had an acoustic immittance testing done once. I had a hearing problem after a long flight a couple of years ago. I was dizzy and couldn't hear as well as I usually can.

I had the immittance test done which showed that I had a pressure problem in my inner ear. However, the doctor said that it's probably temporary because of pressure changes in my ear during the flight.

I had the test done again several weeks later and the results came back normal. I was really worried at first that I was going to lose my hearing permanently. The test results really put my mind at ease.

H. Bliss
H. Bliss
Heather Bliss, a passionate writer with a background in communication, brings her love for connecting with others to her...
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