[A comparative study of 2 tests for auditory tube function and their effects on swimming]

We studied a group of adults and a group of children. All the test subjects were member of the swimming club and were subjected to an intensive training program for competition swimming. Two easy to perform Eustachian tube tests were compared, i.e. the Bluestone 9 steps test (tympanometry) and the measurement of the opening pressure with a pressure transducer during Valsalva and swallowing. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each test and the influence of swimming on the Eustachian tube function in adults and children.