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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
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Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults
Published on: February 9, 2022
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Middle-Ear Resonance Frequency and Eustachian Tube Function in Players of Wind Instruments
Fulya Ozer1, Cem Ozer1, Seyra Erbek1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, Baskent Univercity Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
Wind instrument players, particularly woodwind musicians, show increased eustachian tube dysfunction and middle ear resonance frequency after performances. This study highlights potential auditory impacts on musicians.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Music Medicine
Background:
- The impact of continuous forced expiration in wind instrument playing on eustachian tube function and middle ear resonance frequency is not well-documented.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for the health and performance of musicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate eustachian tube functions in wind instrument players.
- To evaluate the middle ear resonance frequency (RF) in wind instrument players.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 28 wind instrument players and 34 controls.
- Eustachian tube function assessed via acoustic tympanometry.
- Middle ear resonance frequency determined using multifrequency tympanometry.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in eustachian tube dysfunction was observed among musicians, particularly woodwind players (p = 0.048).
- A significant increase in middle ear resonance frequency was noted post-performance in musicians (925 Hz pre- vs. 1,020 Hz post-performance, p = 0.004).
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to utilize multifrequency tympanometry to assess middle ear RF and eustachian tube function in orchestral wind instrument musicians.
- Woodwind players exhibit more prominent eustachian tube dysfunction and higher middle ear RF post-performance.
- Further research is needed to explore the implications of these findings on professional musicians' performance.
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