Eustachian Tube Opening Measurement by Sonotubometry Using Perfect Sequences for Healthy Adults

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to establish the rate variation of sonotubometric measurements using a specific broadband class of signals, the so-called perfect sequences (PSEQ) among healthy adults and to identify an optimal and technically simple test to provoke Eustachian tube (ET) openings.MethodsSonotubometry was performed on 105 healthy adult subjects. Three different consecutive maneuvers were performed for ET opening: dry swallowing, water swallowing (a small [2 mL] and a large [5 mL] water bolus). Values of the amplitude and duration of each measured ET opening were calculated.ResultsA total of 6,300 measurements were performed. Sonotubometric ET openings were detected for all subjects but not for each measurement. In 6,180 of 6,300 measurements (98.1%), objective ET openings were registered. In 11 of 105 subjects (10.5%) at least one sonotubometric ET opening was not detected. The mean ET opening duration time and the mean sound amplitude similar for all performed test and were 270 (SD, ±96) msec, 13.48 (SD, ±6.57) dB.ConclusionSonotubometry based on PSEQ stimuli is a reliable methodology to assess the ET opening function in healthy subjects. Mean ET opening duration time and the mean sound wave amplitude performed similarly in all analysed tests, hence it might be concluded that dry (saliva) and water swallowing are reliable sonotubometric maneuvers and may be used when examining ET opening function. The size of a sip during water swallowing does not affect the sonotubometry result. All maneuvers can be equally used as the optimal test, and water swallow is most comfortable for the subject.

Sound and Noise Sources in Sonotubometry: An Investigation of Eustachian Tube Assessment

“…Below 110 dB, the measured peak width was around 0.05 s, which is close to the duration of the clicking as seen before in the spectrograms of the silicone model and the healthy volunteers when the impulsive opening occurred. Above 110 dB the duration was measured to be between 0.3 s to 0.4 s. This is closer to the full opening duration of the ET, which typically lies in the range of 0.3 s to 0.4 s seconds [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…When looking at the width of the measured sound-increase peaks, a sharp increase was measured at an excitation level of 110 dB where the duration of the peak increases drastically from 0.05 s to 0.35 s. The 0.05 s peak corresponds to the duration of the clicking noise whereas the 0.35 s peak is close to the reported duration of the average ET opening [ 10 ]. Therefore, the peak duration appears to be a reliable metric to identify if sound penetrated the open ET or if the measured signal originated from noise.…”

Relationship between Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion in radiotherapy patients

“…Participants who had difficulty swallowing because of a dry mouth were allowed to drink water before the test. In accordance with previous reports, normal Eustachian tube function was defined as an ear that exhibited an increase of more than 5 dB in the SPL during swallowing 12 13 All analysed ears were stratified as having normal Eustachian tube function (group A) or Eustachian tube dysfunction (increase of 5 dB SPL or less, group B).…”