Sonotubometry: its role in childhood glue ear

Sonotubometry is a relatively new technique for the measurement of Eustachian tube function. Two groups of children were studied: an abnormal group with a diagnosis of glue ear, and a control group of normal children. Sonotubometry testing showed tubal function to be normal in 80% of the control group compared with only 29% in the abnormal group. This difference is statistically significant. Furthermore, the reliability of sonotubometry testing as a predictor of glue ear was assessed and compared with the current methods of pre-operative assessment (pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and otoscopy). Sonotubometry compares well, giving a correct prediction rate of 85%. In addition it has been shown that, unlike the other tests, sonotubometry testing was possible on all children studied.