Admittance in the context of tympanometry refers to what?

Admittance in the context of tympanometry specifically refers to the measure of how much sound energy is allowed to pass through the middle ear system. This concept is crucial in understanding how well the middle ear functions. When sound waves enter the ear, they encounter the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the ossicular chain (middle ear bones). If the middle ear is functioning properly, it will allow a certain amount of acoustic energy to be transmitted through to the inner ear.

When tympanometry is performed, a probe is placed in the ear canal, and variations in air pressure are used to assess movement of the tympanic membrane. By measuring admittance, clinicians can determine the compliance of the tympanic membrane and the middle ear system, providing valuable insight into the presence of any middle ear disorders such as fluid, eustachian tube dysfunction, or ossicular malformations. This measure contrasts with resistance, which refers to how much the system opposes the flow of energy, while pressure and volume pertain to different aspects of the ear's anatomy and functioning rather than the flow of sound energy itself.