Abstract
The present paper investigates a portable eustachian-tube-function testing device by sonotubometry based on pure-tone sound transmission via the eustachian tube (ET). The measured results obtained by the proposed method were validated through comparison with the existing testing technique based on broadband sound inspection. The measurement results for the ET opening time (Topen) and the sound pressure difference in the ear canal between open and closed ETs (ΔL) obtained using pure-tone sounds with tonal frequency components of 7.0 and 9.5 kHz generally agreed with the results obtained by the existing technique with broadband testing sound.
Highlights
The eustachian tube (ET) is a tubular organ that connects the tympanic cavity to the nasopharynx
The present paper investigates a portable eustachian-tube-function testing device by sonotubometry based on puretone sound transmission via the eustachian tube (ET)
Smith et al stated1 that there is a need for new testing equipment that can indicate whether a patient has a tendency to develop ET dysfunction (ETD) intermittently, even if the patient is free of symptoms at the time of testing
Summary
The eustachian tube (ET) is a tubular organ that connects the tympanic cavity to the nasopharynx. Among the above-mentioned methods, sonotubometry is a relatively simple method, in which acoustic signals are emitted to the nasal cavity by a loudspeaker and the ET opening can be detected using the signals transmitted to the ear canal recorded by microphones This method can be used with or without perforation of the eardrum, and the load on the human body is small, so, using this method, it is possible to measure the ETF of adults and children and elderly persons. We developed a portable ETF testing device using the sonotubometry of pure-tone driving by a portable device This system enables the sound reproduction, recording, and signal processing to obtain the transmitted sound via ET, all with just a portable Android device and a lightweight speaker and microphone attached. In order to confirm the acoustic performance of the device, the ETFs for adults were measured by the proposed device, and the obtained results were compared with the results measured by the existing testing device
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