MEPA3 Clinical Reflectance System
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| MEPA3 Clinical Reflectance System |
Mimosa Acoustics' MEPA3 Clinical Reflectance System provides a non-invasive method for characterizing middle-ear transduction with acoustic power assessment (MEPA). Mimosa Acoustics is the first to bring this new technology into the hands of clinicians. Within seconds, measurements characterizing the middle ear over a wide frequency range are obtained, without changing the pressure in the ear. Pairing otoacoustic emission measurements with MEPA measurements provides diagnostic information about both the middle and inner ear.
For use with newborns, infants, and adults.
Why use MEPA with infant hearing screening?
The goal of any UNHS (Universal Newborn Hearing Screening) program is to correctly identify ears with hearing loss and correctly identify ears with normal hearing. In the newborn population, the incidence of conductive hearing loss is greater than sensorineural hearing loss. Usually, the conductive component is transient. Information on middle ear status improves the ability to correctly predict hearing status.
Tympanometry is not reliable in very young infants. It is possible to obtain abnormal 220 Hz tympanograms in infants less than 4 months when their middle-ear system is normal. Furthermore, normal results are possible in infants below 4 months of age even when middle ear effusion is present. The problem with tympanometry is that static pressurization of the ear canal produces large changes in the ear canal volume due to changes in the ear canal diameter. Until MEPA3, there was not a clinically accepted acoustic test of middle-ear status applicable to the neonatal population.
With proper calibration techniques MEPA3 can measure wideband power reflectance to 6 kHz, without the need for a pressurized ear canal. Power reflectance is a measure of middle-ear inefficiency. It is the ratio or percentage of power reflected from the eardrum to the incident power, as a function of frequency. Acoustic power measurements objectively quantify middle-ear function and malfunction.
MEPA3 Specifications
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| Screenshot of two MEPA reflectance measurements. The green function was measured using a wideband chirp; the blue function with a series of tones. The yellow patch represents an average ear as measured with a B&K 4157 artificial ear. |
To run MEPA3, you need a HearID software and hardware system, with the MEPA3 Measurement Module and the Mimosa Acoustics calibration cavity set.
- Measurements include Power Reflectance, Power Absorption, Power Transmittance, Acoustic Impedance, Acoustic Resistance, Acoustic Reactance, Acoustic Admittance, Acoustic Conductance, Acoustic Susceptance.
- Frequency range: 200 to 6000 Hz.
- Intensity Range: 0 to 80dB SPL.
- Sample Time: 0.1 to 10 seconds per point.
- Stimuli: Chirp & Pure Tone.
- Artifact Rejection.
- Real time display of signal and noise.
- Normative data.
- Customize measurement protocols.
- Customize display parameters.
MEPA Probe Calibration
MEPA probe calibration is an essential step in making a reflectance measurement. Calibration is quick and easy; typically taking less than one minute. A calibration is made for each eartip type. For best results, calibrate before every patient; however, calibrating daily may be sufficient for many applications.
