Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Study – Ages 3-17

STUDY BASICS

Are you the parent of a child age 3-17 who has been diagnosed with Eustachian tube (tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat) dysfunction or middle-ear fluid? If so, your child may be able to participate in a research study to find out if new tests are helpful in finding the cause of middle-ear disease due to poor Eustachian tube function. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Poor Eustachian tube function can lead to ear infections and other distressing middle-ear symptoms. When the Eustachian tube works normally, it opens and closes to help keep the pressure in the middle ear the same as room-air pressure (atmospheric pressure). When the Eustachian tube does not work well, the pressure in the middle ear can increase or decrease and feel like a blocked ear or ear pain. The purpose of this study is to determine which of the many Eustachian tube function tests (or combination of tests) is most helpful in finding out what is causing ear problems in children with middle-ear diseases thought to be due to poor Eustachian tube function.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

• Age 3-17
• Recent diagnosis of fluid in middle-ear, but currently without fluid in middle-ear or a tube or hole after a tube in one or both ears

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation is one visit (3-4 hours) at the Middle Ear Physiology Laboratory in Oakland. Follow-up includes 4 phone calls (every 6 months for 2 years).