Recurrent Middle Ear Barotrauma in Student Pilots

INTRODUCTION: The present study evaluated the efficacy of the nine-step inflation-deflation tympanometric test for predicting recurrence of middle ear barotrauma.METHODS: Student pilots who were diagnosed with middle ear barotrauma from October 2010 to April 2011 were enrolled. The grade of barotrauma was assigned using Teed’s classification. All subjects underwent tympanometry and nine-step inflation-deflation testing at first visit and after improvement. Recurrence was monitored for 2 wk after they resumed flight. The relationships among the recurrence of middle ear barotrauma, the grade and duration of disease, and tympanometric and nine-step test results were evaluated.RESULTS: There were 35 cases enrolled. According to Teed’s classification, 16 cases were Grade 0 (45.7%) and 11 cases were Grade I (31.4%). Grade III was shown in seven cases (20.0%) and one subject was Grade IV (2.9%). The mean duration of illness was 5.9 d. In the initial 9-step tests, 29 subjects (85.3%) failed to pass the entire test. On follow-up tests, eight cases (22.9%) failed. Seven pilots (20.0%) showed recurrent middle ear barotrauma after resumed flight. All of the cases with recurrence failed the follow-up nine-step tests. The nine-step test showed high sensitivity and specificity values for predicting recurrence. A clear correlation was observed between recurrence and nine-step test results.DISCUSSION: The nine-step inflation-deflation test provides useful information about Eustachian tube function. The nine-step test can be useful to reduce the risk of recurrence of middle ear barotrauma in pilots.Sohn JH. Recurrent middle ear barotrauma in student pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(8):681–687.