Abstract: A device and a process for analysis of an ear directs into the ear acoustic waves Measurements may be made without pressurizing the ear canal and contact between the device and the ear does not need to be air-tight. The patient experiences essentially no discomfort from use of the device. The device detects the reflected waves to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance curve is electronically measured in order to obtain an indicator of ear condition which is substantially independent of a line of sight between a sound source and the ear. This indicator may be based on a measurement of the resonance characteristic, or freedom of motion, of the tympanic membrane or other ear component being analyzed. One such measurement is the rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency.

Abstract: A device and a process for analysis of acoustic reflectance of components of an ear directs into the ear canal acoustic waves covering a range of frequencies including resonance frequencies of ear components such as the tympanic membrane. Measurements are made without pressurizing the ear canal and contact between the device and the ear does not need to be air-tight. Accordingly, the patient experiences essentially no discomfort from use of the device. The device detects and combines the incident and reflected waves to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance curve is electronically measured in order to obtain an indicator of ear condition which is substantially independent of a line of sight between a sound source and the tympanic membrane. This indicator is based on a measurement of the resonance characteristic, or freedom of motion, of the tympanic membrane or other ear component being analyzed.