Efficacy of a modified politzer apparatus in management of eustachian tube dysfunction in adults

This study evaluates the efficacy of politzeration on eustachian tube dysfunction following airplane travel using an automated, hand-held device that controls the volume velocity of air flow. Fourteen adults with eustachian tube dysfunction following airplane travel comprised the experimental group. They received politzeration over a period of 6 weeks on a twice-a-week basis. Fourteen adults with eustachian tube dysfunction following airplane travel comprised the control group. They were untreated. Complete audiologic and otolaryngologic evaluations were performed at the pretest and after politzeration treatment was completed. The results revealed a substantial, significant improvement in the mean tympanometric peak pressure from pretest to final post-treatment retest in the experimental, but not the control, subjects. The mean air-bone gap increased significantly from pretest to final post-treatment retest in the control, but not the experimental, subjects. Of the experimental subjects with abnormal tympanometric peak pressures at the pretest, resolution to within normal limits occurred in 71 percent of the experimental subjects versus 21 percent of the control subjects. These results suggest the potential feasibility of treatment of aerotitis media in adults with this modified Politzer method using the automated apparatus.