Abstract
Middle ear pressure is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion and its sequelae, and pressure is regulated by the opening of eustachian tube with deglutition (active opening function). This investigation examined the effect of aging on the active opening function of the eustachian tube. Seven-hundred and fifty-two otologically healthy subjects were selected to evaluate the ability of the eustachian tube to open actively. We recorded the duration of tubal patency with deglutition by sonotubometry. The results were as follows;
1) The active opening function was absent in approximately one quater of normal ears.
2) Active opening function was lower in males than in females.
3) The positive rate of active opening function tended to be lower in the older generation.
4) The duration of tubal patency with deglutition tended to be longer in the older generation.
