Middle ear diseases are strongly connected with the function- ality of the Eustachian tube (ET), which plays a central role in its
well-being. The incidence of obstructive ET dysfunction is estimated to be 4% in children and 1% in adults. ET dysfunction can result in chronic otitis media, tympanic atelectasis, and even the onset of cholesteatoma. ET dysfunction is a common entity in daily practice in ENT clinics. Its symptoms include: sensation of ear fullness, tinnitus, clogged ears or inability to rapidly equilibrate middle ear pressure. The clinical evaluation of these symptoms is subjective and based essentially on patients’ complaints, as well as on physical examination and some ancillary tests, such as tympanometry or pneumatic otoscopy, as there is no specific and sensible tool to provide objective measurement of symptom intensity and morbidity, or to allow comparisons before and after clinical or surgical treatments.
