Tubomanometry and EarPopper Devices for Eustachian Tube Function Testing

Comparison of Tubomanometry and EarPopper Devices for Eustachian Tube Function Testing in Children and Adults

The Eustachian tube (ET) is a biological tube that links the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. It has several functions, of which the most important is to maintain optimal middle-ear health. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) can result in pain or a popping sensation in the ears when flying in an airplane or going up a tall building in an elevator. Many people with ETD also suffer from ear problems such as repeated middle-ear infections or fluid in the ears. However, there are very few easily-administered tests to measure and assess Eustachian tube function (ETF). Tubomanometry is one of these tests, however it is expensive and used to measure ETF only in research settings. In this study, the investigators propose that using a combination of two readily available devices, the EarPopper and a tympanometer, will work in a manner similar to a Tubomanometer to test ET function.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: EarPopper; Device: Tympanometry; Device: Tubomanometry

Detailed Description

There is no current universally-accepted set of functional tests or scoring systems for the diagnosis of ETD or measure of the pressure-regulating function of the ET; current practice shows that the diagnosis of ETD relies largely on clinical observation. Though there are several tests that have been developed to characterize ETF, many of them require specialized equipment and trained personnel to administer the test, which are only available in specialized testing centers. As such, this study aims to compare the use of the EarPopper plus tympanometry to Tubomanometry as a ETF test.

Tubomanometry is a simple in-office test based on the Politzer maneuver, in which air is blown into one of the nostrils while occluding the contralateral nostril and swallowing. The tubomanometer consists of an air pump attached to a manometer to adjust the target pressure, a two-pronged nose piece to deliver a controlled airflow to the nostrils and an external ear canal sensor to detect displacement of the tympanic membrane (TM). Since the middle ear is a closed system, displacement of the TM during a swallow is considered a successful ET opening. Tubomanometry is easily tolerated by both adults and children is currently used most widely to evaluate ETF changes after ET balloon dilation. The EarPopper is, like the tubomanometer, a modified politzer device and is used as a treatment device for ET obstruction. It introduces a continuous airflow into the nostril and has no external ear canal probe. The user perceives the ET opening as a subjective sensation of ear fulness. In this pilot study, the investigators will test the feasibility of a new ETF test protocol that will use the EarPopper to trigger the opening of the ET followed by a tympanogram to confirm if there was a change in middle ear pressure. The investigators expect that the combination of these two devices will be comparable to the Tubomanometry test, which will also be performed in the same test session.

Previous studies show that ET opening efficiency is determined by the coordinated function of paratubal muscles, especially of the levator (mLVP) and tensor veli palatini (mTVP) muscles. Nasal endoscopy video recordings have shown a large variability in soft palate closure, as it depends largely on individual effort. For this reason, besides swallowing, the investigators will also employ two additional methods to standardize the elevation of the soft palate and facilitate the opening of the ET: the Fish maneuver (puffing the cheeks and blowing out against a closed mouth) and the EMST-150 device (blowing into the device with a preset low and high resistances). As part of the development of this new testing protocol, these three maneuvers will be used during the EarPopper plus tympanometry and Tubomanometry tests. They will be performed during the EarPopper test, with concurrent video-otoscopy recordings to detect movement of the tympanic membrane that could be interpreted as an ET opening, and during trans-nasal video-endoscopy to record the movement and positioning of the soft palate.

The investigators expect that, in comparing the maneuvers performed during EarPopper plus tympanometry and Tubomanometry tests, they will assess the feasibility of the protocol, define maneuvers to standardize paratubal muscular contraction and determine if the EarPopper plus tympanometry measurements are comparable to Tubomanometry.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 30

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
      • ENT Pressure Chamber Laboratory, Oakland Medical Building, 3420 Fifth Avenue, Room 118

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 3 years to 58 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

10 healthy adults (aged 18-60), 5 healthy children (aged 5-17), 10 otherwise healthy adults with ETD (aged 18-60), and 5 otherwise healthy children with ETD (aged 5-17) with bilaterally intact TM's will be enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Complete histories will be taken with a focus on any ear-related problems.

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA

ETD participants:

• Bilaterally intact tympanic membranes
• aged 5 to 60; generally good health
• ability to understand and give informed consent
• history of myringotomy tubes, recurrent middle ear infections, recurrent middle ear fluids, or prior ETD diagnosis
• ability to perform maneuvers that will be done during the testing protocol.

Control participants

• Bilaterally intact tympanic membranes
• aged 5 to 60
• generally good health
• ability to understand and give informed consent
• no personal history of recurrent otitis media or other middle--ear disease
• ability to perform maneuvers that will be done during the testing protocol
• no difficulty equalizing middle--ear pressures in daily life.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

ETD participants:

• Cold/allergic rhinitis (temporary) on presentation
• current dental problem or dental work within 7 days (temporary)
• history of ossicular reconstruction
• history of tympanoplasty
• syndromes predisposing to otitis media
• extant middle--ear disease
• inability to complete testing protocols
• tympanic membrane perforation
• abnormal tympanogram (type B tympanogram)
• BMI >40
• history of congenital heart disease
• prior radiation to head and neck
• uncontrolled respiratory disease
• any medical condition or use of medication for which the study physician feels study procedures would not be in the subject's best interest.
• In adults, a positive urine pregnancy test (in females), blood pressure above 140/90, glaucoma, and sensitivity to drugs used to prepare the nose for endoscopic examination will also exclude potential participants.

Control participants:

• (in addition to above) significant middle--ear disease history
• evidence of middle ear pathology.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
TMM followed by EarPopper + Tympanometry; Participants will be asked to complete the tubomanometry (TMM) then EarPopper plus tympanometry tests for each ear, followed by video otoscopy. Nasal endoscopy will also be performed on adult subjects to visualize Eustachian tube (ET) pharyngeal opening and the functional anatomy of surrounding structures during maneuvers. These maneuvers include swallowing, "Fish" maneuver, and blowing out into the EMST-150, and are used to elevate the soft palate to trigger an ET opening.	Device: EarPopper; The EarPopper is 510(K) regulated (510(K) Number K073401) and is marketed as a safe and effective way to aid muscle-assisted ET opening. It is a Politzer device, and aids ET opening by blowing a constant stream of air into the nasal cavity. It consists of a single nose piece connected to an air pump with no adjustable pressure settings. During the study, the subject will be asked to place the nose piece into one of the nostrils while occluding the contralateral. The subject will then perform the maneuvers (swallow, "Fish", blowing out into the EMST-150).; Device: Tympanometry; The Tympanometer is 510(K) regulated (510(K) Number K083861) and is marketed as a way to measure auditory impedance and acoustics reflex by producing controlled levels of test tones and signals. It will be used before and after each maneuver for both the EarPopper and Tubomanometry tests to assess middle ear pressure change.; Device: Tubomanometry; Tubomanometry is an established test of Eustachian tube function. It is an easily-administered test used in clinical laboratories. It consists of a nosepiece and an ear canal pressure probe coupled to a manometer and air pump. When the nosepiece and ear canal probe is in place, a maneuver, such as swallowing, will cause the tubomanometer to generate a bolus of air at 30, 40, or 50 mbar through the nosepiece. In the event that the Eustachian tube opens, the tympanic membrane will be displaced, which in turn will be sensed by the ear probe. This event will be recorded as a Eustachian tube opening. For this test, the investigators will ask the subject to perform the maneuvers (swallow, "Fish", blowing out into the EMST-150).
EarPopper + Tympanometry followed by TMM; Participants will be asked to complete the EarPopper plus tympanometry then TMM tests for each ear, followed by video otoscopy. Nasal endoscopy will also be performed on adult subjects to visualize ET pharyngeal opening and the functional anatomy of surrounding structures during maneuvers. These maneuvers include swallowing, "Fish" maneuver, and blowing out into the EMST-150, and are used to elevate the soft palate to trigger an ET opening.	Device: EarPopper; The EarPopper is 510(K) regulated (510(K) Number K073401) and is marketed as a safe and effective way to aid muscle-assisted ET opening. It is a Politzer device, and aids ET opening by blowing a constant stream of air into the nasal cavity. It consists of a single nose piece connected to an air pump with no adjustable pressure settings. During the study, the subject will be asked to place the nose piece into one of the nostrils while occluding the contralateral. The subject will then perform the maneuvers (swallow, "Fish", blowing out into the EMST-150).; Device: Tympanometry; The Tympanometer is 510(K) regulated (510(K) Number K083861) and is marketed as a way to measure auditory impedance and acoustics reflex by producing controlled levels of test tones and signals. It will be used before and after each maneuver for both the EarPopper and Tubomanometry tests to assess middle ear pressure change.; Device: Tubomanometry; Tubomanometry is an established test of Eustachian tube function. It is an easily-administered test used in clinical laboratories. It consists of a nosepiece and an ear canal pressure probe coupled to a manometer and air pump. When the nosepiece and ear canal probe is in place, a maneuver, such as swallowing, will cause the tubomanometer to generate a bolus of air at 30, 40, or 50 mbar through the nosepiece. In the event that the Eustachian tube opens, the tympanic membrane will be displaced, which in turn will be sensed by the ear probe. This event will be recorded as a Eustachian tube opening. For this test, the investigators will ask the subject to perform the maneuvers (swallow, "Fish", blowing out into the EMST-150).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Middle ear pressure change after a swallow	The subject's middle ear pressure will be measured before and after they are asked to swallow, while doing the tubomanometry or the Earpopper test. An increase in approximately 10daPa will be considered a Eustachian tube opening.	Immediately before/after swallow

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Middle ear pressure change after "Fish" maneuver	The subject's middle ear pressure will be measured before and after they are asked to carry out the "Fish" maneuver, while doing the tubomanometry or the Earpopper test. An increase in approximately 10daPa will be considered a Eustachian tube opening. The "Fish" maneuver is an effort-dependent method of elevating the soft palate, and will provide further qualitative data on Eustachian tube function.	Immediately before/after "Fish" maneuver
Middle ear pressure change after blowing into EMST-150	The subject's middle ear pressure will be measured before and after they are asked to blow out against different levels of resistance into the EMST-150, while doing the tubomanometry or the Earpopper test. An increase in approximately 10daPa will be considered a Eustachian tube opening. Blowing into the EMST-150 is a standardized method of elevating the soft palate, and will provide further qualitative data on Eustachian tube function.	Immediately before/after blowing into EMST-150

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Movement of tympanic membrane during a swallow	Video otoscopy will be done while subject undergoes the EarPopper plus tympanometry test; movement of the tympanic membrane during a swallow will indicate Eustachian tube opening.	Immediately before/after swallow
Soft palate elevation to 50% or more of the visual field in 0-degree nasal endoscopy during "Fish" maneuver.	Rigid nasal endoscopy with 0-degree scope will be done on adult subjects while they perform the "Fish" maneuver. Soft palate elevation to 50% or more of the visual field is postulated to be a function of efficient eustachian tube function.	Immediately before/after "Fish" maneuver

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cuneyt M. Alper
• Collaborators: University of Pittsburgh; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Cuneyt M Alper, MD, University of Pittsburgh

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Schilder AG, Bhutta MF, Butler CC, Holy C, Levine LH, Kvaerner KJ, Norman G, Pennings RJ, Poe D, Silvola JT, Sudhoff H, Lund VJ. Eustachian tube dysfunction: consensus statement on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis. Clin Otolaryngol. 2015 Oct;40(5):407-11. doi: 10.1111/coa.12475. No abstract available.
• Ars B, Dirckx JJJ. Tubomanometry. In: Ars B, ed. Fibrocartilaginous Eustachian Tube-Middle ear cleft. The Hague, The Netherlands: Kugler Publications; 2003:151-158.
• Esteve D. Tubomanometry and Pathology. In: Ars B, ed. Fibrocartilaginous Eustachian Tube - Middle Ear Cleft. The Hauge, The Netherlands: Kugler Publications; 2003:159-175.
• Smith ME, Zou CC, Baker C, Blythe AJC, Hutchinson PJA, Tysome JR. The repeatability of tests of eustachian tube function in healthy ears. Laryngoscope. 2017 Nov;127(11):2619-2626. doi: 10.1002/lary.26534. Epub 2017 Feb 22.
• Gurtler N, Husner A, Flurin H. Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube: early outcome analysis. Otol Neurotol. 2015 Mar;36(3):437-43. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000000631.
• Schroder S, Lehmann M, Ebmeyer J, Upile T, Sudhoff H. Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty: a retrospective cohort study. Clin Otolaryngol. 2015 Dec;40(6):629-38. doi: 10.1111/coa.12429.
• Sheer FJ, Swarts JD, Ghadiali SN. Finite element analysis of eustachian tube function in cleft palate infants based on histological reconstructions. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2010 Nov;47(6):600-10. doi: 10.1597/09-131. Epub 2010 Mar 10.
• Alper CM, Teixeira MS, Swarts JD, Doyle WJ. Quantitative description of eustachian tube movements during swallowing as visualized by transnasal videoendoscopy. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Feb;141(2):160-8. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2014.3002.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 27, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 18, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): November 18, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 13, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): February 21, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 13, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 11, 2020
• Last Verified: November 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Tubomanometry; EarPopper; Eustachian tube function test
• Other Study ID Numbers: PRO18050569; P50DC007667 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No