Abstract
The Eustachian tube (ET) function was studied by sonotubometry prior to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in seventy-one ears. The correlation between the results of sonotubometry and middle ear barotraumas were then studied. Of the 46 ears without any symptoms, 19 ears (41%) demonstrated an ET dysfunction. Of the 17 ears with slight symptoms, 8 ears (47%) demonstrated an ET dysfunction. Of the 8 ears with severe barotraumas, 6 ears (75%) demonstrated an ET dysfunction. There were no significant differences among these three groups. Of the 39 ears showing a normal tympanic membrane after HBO therapy, 14 ears (36%) demonstrated an ET dysfunction. In contrast, of the 28 ears showing a pathologic appearance of the tympanic membrane, 18 ears (65%) demonstrated an ET dysfunction, thus indicating a significant difference between these two groups.
