Abstract Introduction Otosclerosis is characterized by the fixation of the stapes to the oval window, thereby impairing acoustic signal absorbance. A commonly used surgical technique for improving hearing in cases of otosclerosis is stapedotomy. However, it is unclear whether this surgery restores all the physical characteristics of the tympano-ossicular system. Objective To evaluate the tympano-ossicular system in individuals with fenestral otosclerosis pre and poststapedotomy using wideband tympanometry. Method A total of 47 individuals and 71 ears were assessed. The subjects were divided into three groups: presurgery otosclerosis; postsurgery; and a control group of normal-hearing adults. A handheld tympanometer with a wideband module (226–8,000 Hz) was used to take measurements at ambient pressure and under pressurized conditions. The level of statistical significance adopted was p ≤ 0.05. Results Acoustic absorbance at 226 Hz was low for all groups. At frequencies in the range 630 to 5,040 Hz, each group had a characteristic absorbance curve, allowing them to be distinguished from one another. In the presurgery group, absorbance values were below normal levels, with energy absorbance below 10%. Low energy absorbance was most evident at 1,000 Hz in the presurgery group, but this was not observed in the postsurgery group. Although there was an improvement in hearing, the surgery failed to restore the tympano-ossicular system to normal. Conclusion Wideband acoustic absorbance proved able to differentiate normal ears and otosclerotic ears pre and postsurgery, under both ambient pressure and pressurized conditions.

INTRODUÇÃO: Parece não haver relação entre o tamanho das perfurações timpânicas e a perda auditiva. Alguns trabalhos na literatura estudaram esta relação, com dados conflitantes e sem uso adequado da metodologia empregada, principalmente quanto à medição do tamanho da perfuração que se faz de modo subjetivo. OBJETIVO: Analisar através de um método objetivo o tamanho dessas perfurações e relacioná-las com perdas auditivas em quatro frequências sonoras. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo de corte transversal. Foram avaliadas 187 perfurações timpânicas através de digitalização de imagem, medidas porcentualmente com o uso do software ImageScope Version 11.1.2.760 e correlacionadas com os limiares auditivos em quatro frequências. RESULTADOS: Os dados foram avaliados estatisticamente pelo teste de correlação de Pearson, que não demonstrou correlação entre o tamanho da perfuração timpânica e o grau de perda auditiva. CONCLUSÃO: Não há relação significativa entre o tamanho das perfurações timpânicas e as quatro frequências estudadas.

INTRODUCTION: There appears to be no relationship between the size of tympanic perforations and hearing loss. Some studies in the literature have assessed this connection, with conflicting data and without proper methodology, especially concerning the measurement of the size of the perforation, which was performed in a subjective manner. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the size of tympanic perforations and to relate them to hearing loss in four different sound frequencies through the use of an objective method. METHODS: Transversal retrospective study. The present study evaluated 187 perforations through digital imaging, calculated the percentages of the tympanic membrane that was perforated using ImageScope software version 11.1.2.760 and correlated perforations size with hearing loss at four frequencies. RESULTS: Data were statistically analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. CONCLUSION: There was no significant relationship between the size of tympanic perforations and hearing loss in the four analyzed frequencies.