title: [Digitalization study of sonotubometry device].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sonotubometry is wildly used in developed countries, offers a easy, versatile and objective way to assess the function of Eustachian tube. The objectives of this study are to develop a low-cost digitalized device.
  
  
  METHODS
  The digitalized sonotubometry device was made of a personal computer with sound input and output accessories. The PC sound card, connected to a signal amplifier, exported probe band noise, while feedback sound was collected by a microphone. All 36 volunteers (72 ears) were involved in the sonotubometry test with JK-04A and CHN-08, in the conditions of dry-swallowing and wet-swallowing. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 13.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The basic electroacoustic performance of the CHN-08 was acceptable. CHN-08 (7 kHz) detection and JK-04A consistency of kappa index was 0.472; CHN-08 (8 kHz) and JK-04A consistency of kappa index was 0.487; CHN-08 (7 kHz) and CHN-08 (8 kHz) consistency of kappa index was 0.688.Under the JK-04A, CHN-08 (7 kHz) and CHN-08 (8 kHz) three setups, Eustachian tube opening frequency was significantly lower for wet-swallowing than dry-swallowing, P < 0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low-cost digitalized sonotubometry is successfully developed. Its electroacoustic performance proved acceptable by authority assessments. The detection rate of CHN-08 is in accordance with that of JK-04A moderately. The study revealed that Eustachian tube is opened more easily by dry-swallowing than by wet-swallowing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China. Email: nongdx@gxmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Dongxiao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nong
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
authors.forename: Anzhou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
authors.forename: Zhiwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D001299:Audiometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008328:Man-Machine Systems