The effect of pressure change rate on the eustachian tube function in pressure chamber tests

The capacity of the Eustachian tube to equilibrate pressure differences across the eardrum was tested repeatedly at different rates of pressure change with the aid of a quantitative impedance method in a pressure chamber. Three recordings of the active and passive pressure equilibration functions were made during chamber pressure changes of 0.3, 0.7 and 1.5 kPa-1s in 53 ears in 28 otologically healthy subjects. The middle ear pressures at which the active and passive equilibrations were achieved increased with increasing rates. The test-retest reliability was not rate dependent as regards the passive pressure equilibration functions, but tended to deteriorate with increasing rates for the active equilibration functions. Advantages and disadvantages of the different rates in such tests are discussed.