EarFlo: A Non-Invasive Treatment for Otitis Media With Effusion & Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults
This study evaluates the use of the EarFlo device in adults with clinically confirmed Eustachian tube dysfunction and/or otitis media with effusion. The purpose of the study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and short-term effects of device use on ear pressure symptoms and middle ear function.
Participants will complete a brief symptom questionnaire, undergo routine ear examinations and testing, and use the EarFlo device once during a clinic visit. Ear examination and testing will be repeated after device use to evaluate any short-term changes. This study involves a single study visit and does not include any surgical or invasive procedures.
Visão geral do estudo
Status
Status
Condições
Condições
Intervenção / Tratamento
Intervenção / Tratamento
Descrição detalhada
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a condition characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear and may occur in both children and adults. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is commonly associated with OME and may contribute to symptoms such as ear fullness, pressure, muffled hearing, and discomfort due to impaired ventilation of the middle ear.
The EarFlo device is designed to promote Eustachian tube opening during swallowing. The EarFlo device has been previously evaluated in pediatric populations with otitis media with effusion and is FDA-cleared for its intended use.This study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and short-term effects of the EarFlo device in an adult population diagnosed with OME and/or ETD.
This is a prospective, single-visit, non-randomized interventional study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and short-term effects of the EarFlo device in adults with otitis media with effusion (OME) and/or Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). The study focuses on short-term changes in subjective symptoms and objective middle ear findings following a single supervised use of the device in a clinical setting.
Eligible participants will attend one study visit. At baseline, participants will complete a validated symptom questionnaire and undergo routine otologic evaluation, including otoscopic examination and tympanometry, as clinically appropriate. Otoscopic images of the tympanic membrane and middle ear will be captured prior to device use.
Participants will then receive instruction on proper use of the EarFlo device from trained study personnel. The device will be used once during the visit while the participant drinks a liquid of their choice. Device use is noninvasive and does not involve surgical procedures or sedation.
Following device use, participants will repeat middle ear assessments, including tympanometry and otoscopic examination. Post-use otoscopic images will be captured and compared with baseline images. Otoscopic images will be reviewed and categorized as improved or not improved by a physician who is blinded to the timing of image acquisition (pre- or post-device use).
The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and short-term effects of the EarFlo device in adults and to obtain preliminary estimates of its short-term effects on ear pressure symptoms and middle ear findings following a single supervised use. As a single-arm pilot study, the findings are intended to inform the design of future controlled studies. No long-term follow-up is required.
Tipo de estudo
Tipo de estudo
Inscrição (Estimado)
Inscrição
Estágio
Estágio
- Não aplicável
Contactos e Locais
Contato de estudo
Contato de estudo
- Nome: Zarna P Lalwani, BDS, MPH
- E-mail: zpl5@pitt.edu
Locais de estudo
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Pennsylvania
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Estados Unidos, 15219
- UPMC Mercy
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Estados Unidos, 15232
- UPMC Shadyside
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Estados Unidos, 15213
- UPMC Montefiore
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Estados Unidos, 15213
- Eye and Ear Institute / UPMC Presbyterian
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Critérios de participação
Critérios de elegibilidade
Critérios de elegibilidade
Idades elegíveis para estudo
- Adulto
- Adulto mais velho
Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis
Descrição
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults aged 18 years and older.
- Adults with confirmed Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) diagnosis with clinical assessment.
- Adults with confirmed dilatory ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction) on clinical assessment.
- Willingness to refrain from initiating new treatments for OME/ETD (e.g., new surgical or device treatments, tympanostomy tubes) during the study period. Standard care will not be refrained if needed.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of acute otitis media, ear infection, or otorrhea within the past 4 weeks.
- Any medical, psychiatric, or cognitive condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with study participation or compliance.
- Inability to use the EarFlo device as instructed (e.g., due to severe nasal obstruction, craniofacial anomalies, or neuromuscular disorders).
- Recent eye, ear or nose surgeries or ear trauma. (<4 weeks)
Plano de estudo
Como o estudo é projetado?
Detalhes do projeto
- Finalidade Principal: Tratamento
- Alocação: N / D
- Modelo Intervencional: Atribuição de grupo único
- Mascaramento: Nenhum (rótulo aberto)
Número de braços
Armas e Intervenções
Grupo de Participantes / BraçoGrupo de Participantes / Braço |
Intervenção / TratamentoIntervenção / Tratamento |
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Experimental: EarFlo Intervention Arm
Participants in this single arm will undergo baseline assessments, use the EarFlo device once during a clinic visit, and complete post-use assessments to evaluate short-term changes in ear symptoms and middle ear function.
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The EarFlo device is a non-invasive, cup-based device used during swallowing to help equalize middle ear pressure.
By delivering a controlled puff of air through the nose during swallowing, it assists Eustachian tube opening to relieve negative middle ear pressure.
Participants will use the device once during a single clinic visit while drinking water or a beverage of their choice.
No surgery or invasive procedures are involved.
Outros nomes:
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O que o estudo está medindo?
Medidas de resultados primários
Medidas de resultados primários
Medida de resultado |
Descrição da medida |
Prazo |
|---|---|---|
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Change in middle ear pressure and compliance measured by tympanometry following single use of the EarFlo device
Prazo: Immediately before EarFlo device use (baseline) and immediately after EarFlo device use (post-intervention) during the single study visit
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Change in middle ear pressure measured using tympanometric peak pressure (daPa) immediately before and immediately after a single supervised in-clinic use of the EarFlo device.
Tympanometric peak pressure values will be compared to evaluate short-term changes in middle ear function.
More positive values indicate improved middle ear pressure equalization.
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Immediately before EarFlo device use (baseline) and immediately after EarFlo device use (post-intervention) during the single study visit
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Blinded otoscopic image assessment of middle ear effusion before and after EarFlo device use
Prazo: Immediately before EarFlo device use (baseline) and immediately after EarFlo device use (post-intervention) during the single study visit
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Otoscopic images obtained immediately before and immediately after EarFlo device use will be independently reviewed by a blinded physician.
Images will be classified as improved or not improved based on predefined evidence of middle ear effusion and tympanic membrane appearance.
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Immediately before EarFlo device use (baseline) and immediately after EarFlo device use (post-intervention) during the single study visit
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Medidas de resultados secundários
Medidas de resultados secundários
Medida de resultado |
Descrição da medida |
Prazo |
|---|---|---|
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Incidence, severity, and relatedness of adverse events
Prazo: From initiation of EarFlo device use through the end of the single study visit, up to 30 minutes.
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Safety and tolerability of the EarFlo device in Adults will be assessed based on the number and percentage of participants experiencing adverse events.
Adverse events will be summarized according to incidence, severity, and relationship to the EarFlo device or study procedure.
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From initiation of EarFlo device use through the end of the single study visit, up to 30 minutes.
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Colaboradores e Investigadores
Patrocinador
Patrocinador
Colaboradores
Colaboradores
Investigadores
Investigadores
- Investigador principal: Philip L Perez, MD, University of Pittsburgh
Publicações e links úteis
Datas de registro do estudo
Datas Principais do Estudo
Início do estudo (Estimado)
Início do estudo
Conclusão Primária (Estimado)
Conclusão Primária
Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)
Conclusão do estudo
Datas de inscrição no estudo
Enviado pela primeira vez
Enviado pela primeira vez
Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ
Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ
Primeira postagem (Real)
Primeira postagem
Atualizações de registro de estudo
Última Atualização Postada (Real)
Última Atualização Postada
Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade
Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade
Última verificação
Última verificação
Mais Informações
Termos relacionados a este estudo
Palavras-chave
Termos MeSH relevantes adicionais
Outros números de identificação do estudo
Outros números de identificação do estudo
- STUDY25050186
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