Introduction
A child who is crying, vocalizing or just uncooperative can offer
a time consuming challenge to even the most experienced screener.
The innovative Race Car Tympanometer
incorporates a captivating four-color racetrack overlay and exciting
"race car" graphics. This unique unit will capture the
attention of even the most difficult child. As the child is focused
on the "race", a proper probe seal is obtained and the
child's car accelerates across the finish line a "winner"!
You and the child you are screening will successfully speed through
each screening.
Product
Overview and Description
The Race Car Tympanometer
is a screening device designed in a game-like format to test small children.
The "Race Car Game" helps reduce the anxiety level of small children
to eliminate the hassles for the screening professionals. With this method
of hearing screening, you can test hearing in children as young as age three.
No other
Tympanometer allows pediatricians the same kind of ease in testing
children of this early age. The key is to create a visual distraction
to capture the child's attention long enough to get a proper probe
seal and generate an accurate tympanogram. This fast, fun and portable
unit creates an exciting game with a captivating four-color racetrack.
As the child is focused on the "race" a proper probe seal
is obtained and the child's car accelerates across the finish line
a WINNER!
When the
probe is inserted into the ear and a proper seal is obtained, the
unit will perform a sweep (+200 to -400 dapa) of air inside the
ear. This sweep of positive then negative pressure allows the system
to evaluate the movement of the child's tympanic membrane (ear drum).
At the end of the sweep the probe will present a high-pitched beep
(100 db @ 1000 Hz), which should result in a stapedial muscle (ipsilateral)
"reflex" contraction. The response of both the sweep and
reflex are automatically analyzed by the Tympanometer unit and a
report can be generated.
Once the
screening is completed, an accurate tympanogram with ipsilateral
reflex is obtained for review and printed in seconds. (A tympanogram
is a printed report that is a graphic representation of the eardrum's
mobility.) Tympanometry is a test of middle ear function only. A
"normal" functioning middle ear does not mean "normal"
hearing. On completion of every test, the physical volume of the
external ear canal (ear volume) can be reviewed on the screen and
is printed automatically on the tympanogram. If the ear drum is
not intact because of a perforation or the presence of a patient's
ventilating tube, the tympanogram will be flat and the ear canal
volume will be large. A flat tympanogram with normal ear canal volumes
is probably related to fluid in the middle ear space. A flat tympanogram
with an unusually small ear canal volume might suggest a complete
blockage of the external canal because of earwax, debris or a collapsed
canal. The unit also performs an acoustic reflex test. This test
checks the presence or absence of stapedial muscle contraction by
presenting a pure tone signal of 1,000 Hz at 100db. Fluid in the
middle ear space may obscure the acoustic reflex. The absence of
a reflex may confirm the presence of middle ear effusion. Note:
"Reflex NT" will be displayed when the reflex option is
set to "off".
A combination
Tympanometer/Audiometer unit is also available, allowing the administrator
to acquire both a tympanometry exam and a hearing exam all in one
testing session. The results of all tests will print out on one
sheet.
Product
Use and Procedure
 |
Set
Up: |
| Make
sure you have a comfortable working space, including a table
to place the unit and printer. |
| The child
can be tested standing or sitting down |
| Tell the
child that he/she is the driver of the car |
| Have the
child focus on the panel set in front of him/her |
| Explain
to the child that the car will race to the finish line and
if they stay very still, they will see their car win the big
race. |
 |
Hints
for Successful Testing |
| Make
sure you have explained the game completely to the child. |
| If a
child is still apprehensive, ask an assistant or parent to
emphasize the fact that the child will win the race if he/she
plays the game and stays very still. |
| |
When
inserting the probe, gently pull up and back on the ear to
secure a proper seal. |
Features
and Benefits
|
Hassle
free Tympanometry
The game approach to this unit makes it uniquely
different from other Tympanometers.
Four-Color Race Track
Provides a perfect distraction to capture children's
attention making testing faster and easier.
Portable Design
This unit is lightweight and portable with carrying
case available for transporting from one location to another.
Tympanometer/Audiometer
This unit is available in a dual testing model
for administering both a tympanometry exam and hearing exam.
Race Car Tympanometer
Tests with shorter testing time. When a proper
seal is achieved, the car will begin driving toward the garage.
When the car is in the garage, the door will close and the
patient will hear a "beep" upon test completion.
When completed the administrator simply presses the PRINT
key.
Printer
The Race Car Unit includes a printer for fast accurate
results for every child.
Diversity
Screening is possible for children of any age.
|
Frequently
Asked Questions
| Q: |
What
is Otitis Media? |
| A: |
Various
conditions of fluid in the middle ear behind the tympanic
membrane. Although it is often painful, that is not always
the case.
|
| Q: |
What
results does tympanometry testing give you? |
| A: |
The Racecar screening
will give results on Peak, Ear Canal Volume and Acoustic Reflex. For
Peak, you are looking for a good peak to fall within the "normal
box" of -200 dapa and +200 dapa. A rounded hump-like tympanogram
or flat line indicates the presence of fluid. A high peak falling
outside the "normal" box would be indicative of tube dysfunction
or improper equalization of middle ear pressure. With Ear Canal Volume
you are measuring the amount of air from the probe tip to tympanic
membrane. Acoustic reflex is an audible tone that is presented in
conjunction with a tympanometry test. This result is looking for the
stapedial muscle to react. This confirms proper operation of ossicular
chain and can tip off a hearing loss or improper chain reaction of
nerves.
|
| Q: |
What
are "normal" readings of ear canal volume? What
do abnormal readings usually refer to? |
| A: |
Ear canal
volume confirms perforations and proper ventilation of tubes.
Normal readings traditionally fall between .9 mm and 1.6 mm
for adults and .4 mm and 1 mm in children. Readings exceeding
these ranges usually refer to a perforation.
|
| Q: |
How
does the test work? |
| A: |
When the
probe is inserted into the ear and a proper seal is obtained,
the unit will perform a sweep (+200 to -400 dapa) of air inside
the ear. This sweep of positive then negative pressure allows
the system to evaluate the movement of the child's tympanic
membrane (ear drum). At the end of the sweep, the probe will
present a high-pitched beep (100 db @ 1000 Hz), which should
result in a stapedial muscle (ipsilateral) "reflex"
contraction. The response of both the sweep and reflex are
automatically analyzed by the tympanometer unit and a report
can be generated.
|
| Q: |
Is
tympanometry an objective or subjective means of screening? |
| A: |
Tympanometry
provides objective results.
|
Technical
Specifications
| Tympanometry
Mode |
| Probe
Frequency: |
226Hz
+/- 3% |
| Probe
Intensity: |
85
dB SPL, +/-2.0 dB measured into a
2 cc coupler, AGC controlled
|
| Probe
Distortion: |
less
than 5% |
| Pressure
Range: |
+200
to -400 daPa. Sweep stops-200 daPa from the peak
|
|
Pressure Accuracy: |
+/-
15% or +/-10 dapa whichever is greater
|
| Pressure
Sweep Rate: |
400
daPa/sec nomina |
| EST
Time of Test: |
approx.
5 seconds |
| Compliance
Range: |
0.2-4.5 cc |
| Compliance
Accuracy: |
+/- 0.1 cc or 5%, whichever is greater over the Compliance
Range
|
| Ear
Canal Volume Range: |
0.2-6.0
cc |
| Uncompensated
Range: |
5.0
cc |
| Compensated
Range: |
0.0-1.0
cc, 0.0-2.0 cc, 0.0-3.0 cc |
|
Reflex
Mode
|
|
Reflex Tone: |
1 KHz |
| Reflex
Level: |
100
dB HL |
| Accuracy: |
+/-
3% |
| Total
Harmonic Distortion: |
<5% |
|
Determination:
|
Compliance
change>.062 cc |
| Pressure: |
Automatically
returns to peak compliance point |
| Display |
| Type |
LCD |
| Printer |
| Type: |
Fujitsu
Thermal |
| Probe |
| Weight: |
4
oz. |
| Dimension: |
1"
x 2-1/2" x 1-1/4" |
|
Mechanical
|
| Dimensions: |
11-3/4"
x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" envelope
|
| Weight: |
5
lbs |
| Voltage: |
117
volt +/- 10% |
| Environmental |
| Operational
Temp: |
15
-+40 C |
| Storage
Temp.: |
0
to +60 C |
| Relative
Humidity: |
5
to 90% |
| Audiometry
(Race Car Tympanometer w/Audiometer) |
| Frequencies: |
250,500,1000,2000,3000,4000,6000,
and 8000 Hz |
| Decibel
Range: |
0-85
dB in 5 dB steps |
| Frequency
Accuracy: |
+/-
2% |
| Noise
Level: |
10
dB HL or 70 dB below the test tone, whichever is greater |
| Distortion: |
Less
than 3% THD |
| Level
Accuracy: |
+/-
3 dB of levels specified in ANSI S3.6-1996 |
| Tone
Presentation |
| Rise/Fall
Time: |
35
+/- 15 miliseconds |
| On/Off
Ration: |
greater
than 70 dB at all frequencies |
| Output |
| Earphones: |
Telephonics
THD-39 w/100 ohm coils |
| Crosstalk: |
70
dB or less than - 5dB HL, whichever is greater |
Articles / Manual
To read Steven D.
Smith, Neuro-Audiologist's "Guide to Tympanometry for Pediatricians"
article click here.
Click here to visit the HealthCentral Website. They have a general
health encyclopedia that takes you through all aspects of tympanometry.
Warranty
|
Race
Car Tympanometer
This warranty is extended to the original purchaser of the
instrument, by Maico, through the Distributor from whom it
was purchased. The warrant covers defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year from date of delivery
of the instrument to the original purchaser. Accessories,
which are purchased from Maico at the same time as the instrument,
are warranted for one year from the date of purchase. For
additional information contact your Maico Distributor. This
warranty is only valid when purchased through a licensed Maico
distributor. School Health Corporation is a licensed Maico
distributor.
|
Service
and Warranty
For customers in North America, please return instruments requiring
service to Maico Diagnostics Technical Service Department listed below,
or to an authorized Maico Diagnostics Technical Service Department.
School Health has an authorized service center for repairs and calibrations.
Click here to link to our Service and
Calibration information page.
Technical Service Department
Maico Diagnostics
9675 West 76th Street
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Telephone: 1-888-941-4201 Telephone: 1-952-941-4200
Fax: 1-952-903-4200
Web Site:
www.maico-diagnostics.com |
Reimbursement
|
CPT
Codes
Tympanometry- 92567
Acoustic Reflex Testing- 92568
Pure Tone Screening- 92551
Threshold Testing - 92552
|
Product
Ordering Information
| SH
Catalog # |
Product
Name |
| 51021 |
Race
Car Tympanometer/Audiometer with Built-In Pure Tone Audiometer
and Printer |
|
