Eustachian tube dysfunction in professional navy divers workers.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Diving Medicine
• Auditory Physiology

Background:

• The Eustachian tube (ET) is crucial for middle ear pressure regulation, particularly for individuals in professions like diving.
• Understanding ET function is vital for assessing risks associated with pressure changes in the ear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction in professional divers compared to non-divers.
• To determine if diving immersion factors impact ET function.
• To assess the prevalence of ET dysfunction in experienced divers.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 34 professional Navy divers and 35 non-divers.
• Clinical examinations, tympanometry, and the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) were utilized.
• Assessment included tympanometric evaluation post-Valsalva maneuver.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in tympanometry or ETDQ-7 scores were observed between divers and non-divers.
• A significant difference in tympanometric results was noted after the Valsalva maneuver (p<0.01).
• Professional divers demonstrated a low risk of ET dysfunction, comparable to controls, irrespective of diving duration or frequency.

Conclusions:

• Navy divers present a lower incidence of Eustachian tube dysfunction.
• The study suggests that professional diving does not significantly increase the risk of ET dysfunction.
• ET function in divers is comparable to that of the general population.