Abstract
Eustachian tube (ET) function is of utmost importance in people who are under constant barometric pressure changes in their daily lives. Proper functioning is essential in avoiding pressure related injuries. We aimed to investigate how well the ET functions in flying personnel and how it compares to the non-flying population.Prospective study. Acibadem University Atakent Hospital. 115 participants were included in the study. Each underwent a thorough otorhinolarynglogic examination then undertook a tympanogram followed by eustachian tube function (EtFT) test. A statistically significant difference in ear volume was observed in flight personnel. EtFT results showed the ability to equalize pressure after Valsalva manouvre was also significantly higher in flight personnel. Flight attendants that are subject to pressure changes throughout their careers do seem to be more capable of equalizing pressure through manoeuvres such as the Valsalva. This may be due to the fact that continuous pressure changes creates a more pliable tympanic membrane.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Silverstein H, Light JP, Jackson LE et al (2003) Direct application of dexamethasone for the treatment of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. Ear Nose Throat J 82:28–32
Mirza S, Richardson H (2005) Otic barotrauma from air travel. J Laryngol Otol 119:366–370
King PF (1976) Otic barotraumas. Audiology 15:279–286
Csortan E, Jones J, Haan M et al (1994) Efficacy of pseudoephedrine for the prevention of barotrauma during air travel. Ann Emerg Med 23:1324–1327
Lim DJ (1968) Tympanic membrane electron microscope observation part I. Acta Oto Laryngol 66:181–198
Nagai T, Tono T (1989) Encapsulated nerve corpuscles in the human tympanic membrane. Arch Oto Rhinol Layngol 246:169–172
Shupak A, Sharoni Z, Ostfeld E et al (1991) Pressure chamber tympanometry in diving candidates. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 100:658–660
Rinaldi V, Cappadona M, Gaffurı M et al (2013) Chorda tympani nerve, may it have a role in stabilizing middle ear pressure? Med Hypothe 80:726–727
Eden AR, Laitman JT, Gannon PJ (1990) mechanisms of middle-ear aeration anatomic and physiologic evidence in primates. Laryngoscope 100:67–75
Kong K, Coates HLC (2009) Natural history, definitions, risk factors and burden of otitis media. Med J Aust 191:38–43
Ivarsson A, Tjernström Ö, Uddman R (1980) The elastic properties of the tympanic membrane system in divers and non-divers. Acta Oto Laryngol 89:33–36
Steiger JR, Champon TA (1997) Valsalva Shift among Smokers and Nonsmokers. J Am Acad Audiol 8(3):277–279
Alshawi Y, Ismail A, Almegil N et al (2018) The Effect of Valsalva and Toynbee Maneuvers on tympanometry parameters in normal and retracted tympanic membrane. Glob J Oto 14(4):555896
Hidir Y, Ulus S, Karahatay S et al (2011) A comparative study on efficiency of middle ear pressure equalization tech. Auris Nasus Larynx 38(4):450–455
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical Approval
This research was approved by IRB ATADEK, Istanbul, Turkey. 2020–02/56.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Emre, I.E., Dogan, C. Eustachian Tube Function in Flight Attendants. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 74, 260–264 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-020-02338-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-020-02338-2