Eustachian tube dysfunction in professional navy divers workers

Abstract

Background: Eustachian tube represents the anterior part of the middle ear. Its role is to maintain the pressure balance between the external and middle ear, especially in some jobs such as divers.

Objectives: This clinical study aimed to evaluate Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction in a cohort of professional divers. The primary objectives were: 1) to compare the prevalence of ET dysfunction in experienced divers versus non-divers, and 2) to assess the potential impact of diving-related immersion factors on ET function.

Materials and methods: This case-control study enrolled 34 professional divers from the Italian Navy (Group A) and 35 individuals with no diving experience (Group B). Both groups underwent clinical and physical examinations, assessment of ET function via tympanometry, and completed the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7).

Results: Tympanometry revealed that 2.9% of participants in both groups had a pathological tympanogram, with no significant differences between groups. ETDQ-7 scores were similarly distributed. However, significant differences were found in tympanometric results after the Valsalva maneuver (p = 0.004 for right ear pressure peaks and p = 0.001 for left ear pressure peaks, comparing Groups A and B). Professional divers showed a low risk of developing ET dysfunction, comparable to non-divers, and this risk was not associated with the duration or frequency of diving activity.

Conclusions: Navy divers show a lower incidence of ET dysfunction.

Significance: This article could explain to the readers the functioning of the ET function between navy divers and normal divers.

Keywords: Eustachian tube; Eustachian tube dysfunction; barotraumatic otitis; middle ear pressure.