The normal middle ear resonant frequency is 965 Hz. The frequency was identified using wideband tympanometry (WBT).
A range of researchers have looked to address this question, with resonant frequencies of the human middle ear often reported informally as typically falling between 800 and 1200 Hz (Shanks, 1984). More specific estimations are available, such as Valvik et al. (1994). These authors reported a mean resonant frequency of 1049 Hz (SD = 261) based on 100 non pathological ears. More recently, Polat et al (2015) described normative data from 110 normally hearing individuals from the Turkish population using Wideband Tympanometry (WBT). The mean resonant frequency reported in this study was 965 Hz (SD = 234).
References and caveatsPolat, Z. et al (2015) Wideband Tympanometry Normative Data for Turkish Young Adult Population. The Journal of International Advanced Otology, 11 (2), pages 157 - 162. Shanks, J.E. (1984) Tympanometry. Ear and Hearing, 5, pages 268-280Valvik, B-R. et al (1994) Multifrequency tympanometry. Audiology, 33, pages 245-253
railCourse details
- Format: Reading
- Clinical area: Tympanometry
