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Pressure chamber tympanometry in diving candidates.
A Shupak1, Z Sharoni, E Ostfeld
1Department of Otolaryngology, Carmel Lady Davis Hospital, Haifa, Israel.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Divers may fail middle ear pressure equalization during dives, even if they pass surface-level tests. This study highlights the need for better diving fitness assessments to ensure diver safety and prevent ear injuries.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Diving Medicine
- Aerospace Medicine
Background:
- Current diving fitness evaluations assess middle ear autoinflation solely at surface pressure.
- This method may not accurately predict middle ear pressure equalization capabilities under dive conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and quantify middle ear pressure equalization failures in diving candidates during simulated dives.
- To assess the efficacy of standard otologic criteria for diving fitness.
Main Methods:
- Forty-two naval diving candidates underwent tympanometry at 1 and 1.1 absolute atmospheres (ATA) in a pressure chamber.
- Measurements were taken with subjects in both seated (upright) and supine (recumbent) positions.
Main Results:
- At 1 ATA, all 84 ears showed normal type A tympanograms.
- At 1.1 ATA, 22.9% of upright ears and 9.6% of recumbent ears exhibited abnormal tympanograms (Type C or B), indicating equalization issues.
Conclusions:
- Successful middle ear autoinflation at surface pressure does not guarantee equalization ability during simulated dives.
- Standard diving fitness otologic criteria may be insufficient for identifying candidates at risk for middle ear barotrauma.