Pressure chamber tests of eustachian tube function document lower efficiency in adults with colds when compared to without colds

Abstract

Conclusions: Fractional gradient equilibrated (FGE) for ears with applied positive but not negative middle ear (ME)–ambient pressure gradients is highly sensitive to a cold-like illness (CLI). Objective: The sequential development of eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, ME under-pressure, and otitis media (OM) characterizes many children during a CLI. If linked, OM burden would be lessened by interventions that promote/preserve good ET function during a CLI. Evaluating this requires a quantitative ET function test for MEs with an intact tympanic membrane responsive to a CLI. Methods: Pressure chamber testing of ET function was performed at +200 and –200 daPa in 3 groups of adults: group I, 21 subjects with an extant CLI and groups II and III, 14 and 57 adults, respectively, without a CLI. ME–chamber pressure gradient was recorded by tympanometry before and after the subject swallowed twice. ET functional efficiency was quantified as the FGE, which was then compared among groups using a Mann–Whitney U test. Results: At chamber pressures of 200 daPa, the ME–chamber pressure gradient was negative, and FGE was low and not different among groups. At chamber pressures of –200 daPa that gradient was positive, and FGE was significantly higher in groups II and III when compared with group I.