Tympanometric changes following nasal antigen challenge in children with allergic rhinitis.

Intranasal antigen provocation was used to study the relationship between allergic rhinitis and changes in middle ear pressure. Middle ear pressure was measured by tympanometry and nasal airway resistance by anterior rhinomanometry. Middle ear pressure became significantly more negative following antigen challenge as compared with control challenge. A subgroup of patients showed middle ear pressure changes of more than minus 50 mm water. This pressure change was rapid and was associated with increased nasal symptoms. These results indicate a role for allergy in the development of negative middle ear pressure, a key finding in otitis media with effusion.