How did he determine you have ETD? I don't think a tympanometry test alone is sufficient. Sometimes the ear pressure is off due to other reasons such as air flight, etc.
I think it was just a standard audiogram. What is an extended audiogram test - do I just ask for one? I have a second opinion in a week's time, so I could ask them.
He printed off a couple of pieces of paper from the tympanometry machine; one indicated my left ear (which he stated looked normal) and the second my right ear, which had the infection, the reading on that was abnormal. I haven't flown anywhere in more than a month. I also have a weird sticky/crackly feeling whenever I move the right-side of my face.
An extended audiogram tests for hearing loss in the upper high frequencies. Standard audiograms only measure up to 8khz, and do not cover the 8khz-16khz range that is covered by an extended audiogram. Ask for one although not every place will offer one - you may need to call around! I know they sometimes use extended audiograms to test hearing loss in cancer patients, as many cancer drugs are ototoxic.
Alternatively, you could have hidden hearing loss, which is damage to the synapses that connect to the hair cells - this is not measurable on an audiogram and typically manifests as speech in noise difficulties.
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