ABSTRACT
The pathophysiological relationship of Eustachian tube dysfunction to middle ear effusion is widely accepted. Several techniques have been developed for utilizing the clinical measurements of acoustic immittance to assess the ventilatory status of the Eustachian tube. This article describes the array of procedures currently in use as well as a selection of procedures being developed for clinical assessment of the Eustachian tube. Most studies in this area have concentrated on measurements of normal function. Clinicians and researchers are encouraged to increase the application of these techniques in order to broaden the data base that is currently available concerning normal and pathological function.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Impedance Tests/methods , Eustachian Tube/physiopathology , Ear Diseases/diagnosis , HumansABSTRACT
This paper reviews recent studies on the tympanometric assessment of Eustachian tube patency involving the traditional technique of assessing pressure equilibration plus the analysis of changes in middle-ear ability to transmit energy through its system (middle-ear function). Normative data in the literature on 89 pediatric ears and 48 adult ears are discussed. The data illustrated a significant loss of information if pressure change is measured without consideration of middle-ear function change. Recommendations for the clinic are given and the need stated for extending such work to the pathological ear.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Impedance Tests/methods , Ear, Middle/physiopathology , Eustachian Tube/physiopathology , Audiometry , Child , Ear Diseases/diagnosis , Ear Diseases/physiopathology , HumansABSTRACT
Acoustic-reflex adaptation was assessed in 49 normal ears. Acoustic reflexes were elicited by the use of contralateral stimulation at four frequencies and five sensation levels. The results displayed the effects of stimulus frequency and sensation level on the amount of acoustic-reflex adaptation. Suggestions are presented for clinical procedures for obtaining contralateral acoustic reflex adaptation measures.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Stimulation , Auditory Threshold/physiology , Reflex, Acoustic , Adult , HumansABSTRACT
Eustachian tube function was assessed tympanometrically in a group of normal adults. A pressure-swallow technique of assessing Eustachian tube ventilatory function was administered with positive and negative induced pressures in the range of +/- 200 mm to +/- 400 mm H2O. This study indicated the relative efficiency of measurement of Eustachian tube function under each of the experimental conditions. Recommendations of procedures for further clinical data collection are presented.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Impedance Tests , Eustachian Tube/physiology , Adult , Ear, Middle/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Pressure , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
Eustachian tube patency was assessed tympanometrically in a group of otologically normal children at a pediatric outpatient clinic. A pressure-swallow technique of assessing eustachian tube patency was administered. The results indicated the importance of the examination of both middle ear pressure and function changes in the evaluation of eustachian tube test results.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Impedance Tests , Eustachian Tube/physiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Ear, Middle/physiology , Humans , PressureABSTRACT
Averaged electroencephalic audiometry has previously demonstrated that cortical responses to auditory stimuli increase and decrease in a direct relationship with stimulus sensation levels. This study utilized a conditioning paradigm with bimodal stimulus presentations in order to effect an enhancement of the auditory evoked response at low sensation levels with normal hearing subjects. The conditioning procedure that was used was found to enhance significantly the percentage of responses as well as the response amplitude. The individual specificity of the response remained unaffected by the conditioning. Response latencies were increased as a result of conditioning. Response latencies were increased as a result of conditioning.
Subject(s)
Auditory Cortex/physiology , Conditioning, Psychological , Evoked Potentials , Acoustic Stimulation , Adult , Humans , Photic Stimulation , Reaction TimeABSTRACT
Available electroacoustic middle-ear measurement instruments report information concerning middle-ear function in at least six different terms. These terms are used to report middle-ear function: impedance, compliance, admittance, susceptance, conductance, and volume. A standard system for the clinical expression of middle-ear measurements, regardless of the particular measurement unit used, is proposed.
Subject(s)
Audiometry/methods , Ear, Middle/physiology , Energy Transfer , Humans , Pressure , Sound , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
Fifty-nine cases of tuberculous meningitis in children seen at the Charity Hospital at New Orleans since the addition of isoniazid to the therapy in 1952 are reviewed. Fourteen of the children died during hopsitalization. At discharge 21 children had complete or nearly complete clinical recovery. Follow-up of 21 available long-term survivors revealed a significant number with neurologic and social disabilities. The endemicity of tuberculous infections in the households of the children and factors responsible for transmission of tubercle bacilli from an adult source are reported. The importance of chemoprophylaxis and public health measures in eliminating this disease are stressed.
