Physiology of the Eustachian tube.

A method for studying the middle ear mechanics is described. The method permits continuous recording of the volume deviation of the drum in relation to the neutral position, both on change in the ambient pressure and in the pressure in the middle ear. One hundred and two volunteers with normal hearing, i.e., a normal audiogram and normal ear findings, were tested repeatedly. This is the most detailed and extensive investigation hitherto performed on healthy volunteers with the aid of a sophisticated, reliable scientific method not suitable for clinical use.