Conformity between sonotubometry and tympanometry in examining eustachian tube ventilatory function in adults with normal hearing

Sonotubometry is a noninvasive, easy-to-perform test for examining the ventilatory function of the Eustachian tube, and it can be performed in subjects with intact or perforated tympanic membranes. To examine the ventilatory function of the Eustachian tube, three components, namely acoustic intensity (amplitude), frequency, and the duration of Eustachian tube opening, are assessed as parameters. On the contrary, tympanometry measures the ventilatory function of the Eustachian tube on the basis of changes in middle ear pressure. This study examined the conformity between sonotubometry and tympanometry as tools for evaluating Eustachian tube ventilatory function in adults with normal hearing. In this cross sectional study of 40 subjects with normal hearing, sonotubometry was performed via 10 s of wet swallowing, and tympanometry was performed following the Toynbee or Valsalva maneuver. The data were analyzed using the kappa test and McNemar's analysis. Significant differences and weak conformity were noted for the measurements of Eustachian tube ventilatory function between sonotubometry and tympanometry. The results indicated that sonotubometry can be an option for evaluating Eustachian tube ventilatory function.