Exploring the Role of Wideband Tympanometry in Diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic role of wideband tympanometry (WBT) in Meniere’s disease (MD). Methods: Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials, Google Scholars, Medline, and Embase were systematically searched up to March, 2024. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and Problem/population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) guidelines were used. Two authors independently reviewed the eligible articles and assessed the quality of them using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for case–control studies. Ears diagnosed with MD were considered as affected ears, whereas ears without MD pathology in participants with unilateral MD were considered as unaffected ears. In addition, ears in healthy control groups with both ears without pathology of MD were considered as control ears. A meta-analysis was performed to compare the parameters of WBT between affected, unaffected, and control ears. Results: In total, 5 case–control studies including 446 ears met the inclusion criteria. Among 446 ears, 163, 81, and 202 were affected, unaffected, and control ears, respectively. There were not any statistically significant differences between affected, unaffected, and control ears for mean of resonance frequency (RF) ( P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were not any statistically significant differences between affected, unaffected, and control ears for mean of absorbance. Conclusion: WBT is not sensitive and specific enough to diagnose MD alone. That might be better to use WBT in conjunction with other objective tools, physical examination, and patient’s history instead of relying only on WBT.