Conductive hearing loss is common in infants, otitis media being one of the most common of the childhood diseases, which consists of infection of the middle ear caused by infection, depression of the immune state, dysfunctions in the
auditory tube, allergies and environmental problems [1].
The
Auditory Tube (AT) extends from the anterior wall of the inferior nasal concha middle ear to the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, approximately at the level of the inferior nasal concha.
(6,7,12) The middle ear also communicates with the pharyngeal cavity via the
auditory tube. The semicircular canals and the vestibule of the bony labyrinth of the temporal bone, the utriculus, saccule, and semicircular ducts of the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, and the vestibular division of cranial nerve VIII are responsible for balance and equilibrium.
Moreover, among the endogenous factors,
auditory tube dysfunction is assumed to play a major role [Cozza et al., 2007].
Tinnitus is a sound in one ear or both ears, such as buzzing, ringing, or whistling, occurring without an external stimulus and usually caused by a specific condition, such as an ear infection, hearing damage, the use of certain drugs, a blocked
auditory tube or canal, or a head injury.
Factors producing obstruction of the
auditory tube in submarine personnel.
duration of chronic otitis media and
auditory tube functional status on the pneumatization of mastoid air cells.
The middle ear comprises the tympanic cavity, consisting of the tympanic membrane (middle and inner layers), ossicular chain with its muscles and ligaments, the
auditory tube, the aditus, antrum and mastoid cells [1,2].
Babies critically ill, more than 1 year of age, having atresia or stenosis of
auditory tube or infected ears and whose parents not willing for participation of their baby in the study.
Middle ear and
auditory tube: Middle ear clearance, gas exchange, and pressure regulation.
auditory tube - either of the paired tubes connecting the middle ears to the nasopharynx; equalizes air pressure on the two sides of the eardrum