What is a key indicator of conductive hearing loss in a tympanogram?

A flat tympanogram indicating poor mobility of the tympanic membrane is a key indicator of conductive hearing loss because it reflects a significant reduction in the movement of the eardrum. Conductive hearing loss typically occurs when sound waves cannot efficiently travel through the outer ear, tympanic membrane, or middle ear structures.

In a flat tympanogram, there is little to no peak, which suggests that the tympanic membrane is stiff and unable to react properly to changes in air pressure in the ear canal. This lack of mobility can be due to several reasons, such as fluid in the middle ear, the presence of earwax, or damage to the ear structures, all of which impede sound transmission and contribute to conductive hearing loss.

In contrast, a peaky tympanogram would indicate normal tympanic membrane function and compliance, while a tympanogram with a sharp rise suggests normal mobility. An easily recognizable wave pattern doesn't specifically correlate with conductive hearing loss as the primary concern is the mobility of the tympanic membrane, which is not represented by a recognizable wave pattern but rather by the degree of peak presence in the tympanogram.