Assessment of ear barofunction by tympanometry method

Abstract

BACKGROUND: When selecting divers, pilots and caisson workers to determine ear barofunction, the subjects tolerance to compression or decompression in the hyperbaric chamber and the condition of the eardrums after leaving the chamber are evaluated. This approach to selection and annual examination is quite informative, although there are isolated cases of unreliable assessments due to concealment of complaints by the examinees, due to the desire to work in the profession. In the course of daily professional activities of these specialists, the diving or aviation doctor needs to detect timely barofunction changes caused by acute respiratory diseases, mechanical injuries, allergic reactions, vasomotor edema of nasal mucosa, etc.
 AIM: To investigate the possibility of using the tympanometry method for examination and dynamic control of ear barofunction among divers.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 42 people who were immersed in a flow-decompression chamber to determine barofunction. After 20 days, the subjects were re-examined by tympanometry method at normal atmospheric pressure using the Valsalva technique.
 RESULTS: The tympanometric indexes of the subjects with the I degree of barofunction had statistically insignificant changes, with IIIII degrees of barofunction there was an increase of peak pressure index and narrowing of peak curve width after diving in a hyperbaric chamber. Among persons with low barofunction (IIIII degrees), the tympanometry method revealed an increase in peak pressure index.
 CONCLUSION: The conducted research has shown promising use of tympanometry among specialists working in conditions of varying barometric pressure.