Age?Gender And Middle Ear Effusion Effects On Wideband Energy Reflectance

ObjectiveTo explore the influence of age?gender and middle ear effusion on wideband energy reflectance.Methods 1.A total of 152 subjects(221 ears)visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2017 to February 2018 were screened,including 79 males(110 ears)and 73 females(111 ears)ages ranged from 7~78 years old,the median age of 35 years old.According to age,all the subjects were divided into juvenile group 7~17 years old,average age of 10.31 years old,15 male(20 ears)and 13 female(20 ears);young adults group 18~40 years old,average age of 28.90 years old,28 male(40 ears),25 female(40 ears);middle-aged group 41~65 years old,average age of 51.48 years old,22 male(30 ears)and 20 female(30 ears);older adults group?66 years old,average age of 70.89 years old,14 male(20 ears)and 15 female(21 ears),to analyze the difference of age and gender on wideband energy reflectance.2.30 patients(37 ears)with middle ear effusion confirmed by tympanostomy were screened,including 12 male(15 ears)and 18 female(22 ears),ages ranged from 7~60 years old,median age of 31 years old,to analyze the influence of middle ear effusion on wideband energy reflectance.Results1.The wideband energy reflectance was high for frequencies below 1000 Hz and beyond 4000 Hz,and was low in the middle frequency,the ER-frequency curve presented as“U”shape.2.The energy reflectance of juvenile group,young adults group,middle-aged group and older adults group were lowest respectively at 3150 Hz,1600 Hz,1250 Hz and1250 Hz.3.Energy reflectance of juvenile group was significantly lower than young adults group in the frequency range of 2000~5000 Hz(P<0.05);except for 500 Hz and 1600 Hz,energy reflectance of juvenile group below 1250 Hz were significantly higher than middle-aged group,and were significantly lower than middle-aged group beyond 2000 Hz(P<0.05);energy reflectance of juvenile group was significantly higher than older adults group at 800 Hz,and were significantly lower than older adults group between 3150~6000 Hz(P<0.05).Energy reflectance of young adults group was significantly higher than middle-aged group at 250 Hz,and was significantly lower than middle-aged group between 5000~6000 Hz(P<0.05);energy reflectance of young adults group was significantly lower than older adults group at 4000 Hz(P<0.05).No significant difference in energy reflectance was found at any frequencies between the middle-aged and older adults group(P>0.05).4.The energy reflectance of men in young adults group and older adults group was significantly higher than women at 4000 Hz(P<0.05).5.Energy reflectance of juvenile group with middle ear effusion was significantly higher than the normal ear beyond 315 Hz(P<0.05);energy reflectance of young adults group with middle ear effusion was significantly higher than thenormal ear beyond 500 Hz(P<0.05);energy reflectance of middle-aged group with middle ear effusion was significantly higher than the normal ear beyond 400 Hz(P<0.05),energy reflectance of middle ear effusion was close to and even greater than the 95 th percentile of the normal ear in the middle-high frequency range.Conclusion 1.Wideband energy reflectance varies with age,it is necessary to establish age-specific standards.2.The energy reflectance of female is higher than male in low frequency range,and is lower than male in high frequency range,it is necessary to establish gender-specific standards.3.Middle ear effusion may result in a significant increase of wideband energy reflectance in wide frequency range.