Moritz F Meyer1,2,3, Kristijana Knezic1, Stefanie Jansen1, Heinz D Klünter1, Eberhard D Pracht4, Maria Grosheva1. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Germany. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. 3. Corresponding author: Dr Moritz F Meyer, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45122 Essen, Germany, moritz.meyer@uk-essen.de. 4. German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: During descent in freediving there is exposure to rapidly increasing pressure. Inability to quickly equalise middle ear pressure may cause trauma to the ear. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of pressure-related damage to the middle ear and the Eustachian tube during freediving and to identify possible risk factors. METHODS: Sixteen free divers performed diving sessions in an indoor pool 20 metres' freshwater (mfw) deep. During each session, each diver performed four own free dives and up to four safety dives. Naso- and oto-endoscopy and Eustachian tube function tests were performed on the right and left ears before diving, between each session and after the last session. The otoscopic findings were classified according to the Teed classification (0 = normal tympanic membrane to 4 = perforation). Additionally, ENT-related complaints were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants performed 317 dives (on average 20 dives per diver, six per session). The average depth was 13.3 mfw. Pressure-related changes (Teed 1 and 2) were detected in 48 % of ears. Teed level increased significantly with an increasing number of completed sessions (P < 0.0001). Higher pressure-related damage (Teed 2) occurred in less experienced divers, was associated with significantly lower peak pressures in the middle ear and led to more ear-related symptoms. A preference for the Frenzel technique for middle ear pressure equalisation during freediving was shown. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure exposure during freediving had a cumulative effect on the middle ear. Factors such as diving depth, diving experience and number of diving sessions correlated with the occurrence of higher Teed levels. Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.
INTRODUCTION: During descent in freediving there is exposure to rapidly increasing pressure. Inability to quickly equalise middle ear pressure may cause trauma to the ear. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of pressure-related damage to the middle ear and the Eustachian tube during freediving and to identify possible risk factors. METHODS: Sixteen free divers performed diving sessions in an indoor pool 20 metres' freshwater (mfw) deep. During each session, each diver performed four own free dives and up to four safety dives. Naso- and oto-endoscopy and Eustachian tube function tests were performed on the right and left ears before diving, between each session and after the last session. The otoscopic findings were classified according to the Teed classification (0 = normal tympanic membrane to 4 = perforation). Additionally, ENT-related complaints were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants performed 317 dives (on average 20 dives per diver, six per session). The average depth was 13.3 mfw. Pressure-related changes (Teed 1 and 2) were detected in 48 % of ears. Teed level increased significantly with an increasing number of completed sessions (P < 0.0001). Higher pressure-related damage (Teed 2) occurred in less experienced divers, was associated with significantly lower peak pressures in the middle ear and led to more ear-related symptoms. A preference for the Frenzel technique for middle ear pressure equalisation during freediving was shown. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure exposure during freediving had a cumulative effect on the middle ear. Factors such as diving depth, diving experience and number of diving sessions correlated with the occurrence of higher Teed levels. Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.
Authors: Moritz F Meyer; Manuela Boor; Stefanie Jansen; Eberhard D Pracht; Moritz Felsch; Heinz D Klünter; Karl-Bernd Hüttenbrink; Dirk Beutner; Maria Grosheva Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2017-12 Impact factor: 0.887