Eustachian tube function in selection of airmen.
A comprehensive study of Eustachian tube function in 84 aspirants accepted for flight training was made. Using a pressure chamber, both static and dynamic pressure changes, as in ascent and descent, were applied to test the tubal pressure equilibrating capacity in the sitting position. While all 84 were otologically healthy, a wide range in the pressure equilibrating capacity was found--20% could not equilibrate static over- and underpressures of 10 cm H2O completely, 8% could not equilibrate at all during simulated descent, 3 subjects reported acute vertigo during simulated ascent in combination with high unilateral middle ear pressure. Asymmetry between ears of single subjects in pressure equilibrating capacity was also found to a large extent. It was not possible to identify subjects with poor equilibrating capacity by simple tests like Valsalva's or Toynbee's manoeuvres. The results may indicate that today's criteria for Eustachian tube function in the selection of airmen can be made more efficient.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male