A preliminary set of normative ER data have been generated for a pediatric population between the ages of 5 and 7 yrs, which were significantly different from previously gathered normative adult ER data. In this study, pediatric normative data were warranted for testing children, but ethnic-specific norms were not required to detect middle ear pathology and changes in middle ear status. WBR shows promise as a clinical diagnostic tool for measuring the mechanoacoustic properties of the middle ear and the changes that result in the presence of negative middle ear pressure or MEE.

Body size may play a role in the observed differences between the Caucasian and Chinese groups. The findings of this study suggest that further research is needed to investigate the effects of body size on wideband energy reflectance. It should be noted that factors other than body size may contribute to the observed differences. Chinese individuals may simply have different middle-ear characteristics than Caucasian individuals, which could affect WBR. In the meantime, overall test performance may be improved by using a more homogeneous norm when evaluating the middle ear of Caucasian or Chinese individuals with WBR.

The present findings show that the overall changes of ER across frequencies can distinguish otosclerotic ears from normal ears and from other sources of conductive hearing loss. Incorporating ER in general practice will improve the identification of otosclerotic ears when conventional tympanometry and MFT may fail to do so. To further improve the false alarm rate, ER should be interpreted in conjunction with other audiologic test batteries because it is unlikely that signs of a conductive component, including abnormal middle ear muscle reflex and ER responses, would be observed in an ear with normal middle ear function.

It seems that the body size plays a crucial factor in the observed differences between the Caucasian group and Chinese groups at a standard probe tone frequency of 226 Hz; however, other mechano-acoustical properties of the middle ear may contribute to these differences at higher probe tone frequencies. Findings of this study suggest that further research is needed to investigate the effects of body size on immittance measures with other ethnic groups. In the meantime, overall test performance may be improved by using a more homogenous norm when testing the Caucasian or Chinese individuals.