Physiologic eustachian tube inflation.

A new maneuver (oral positive pressure) of voluntary middle ear inflation is described. The efficacy of this new maneuver over the Valsalva maneuver was established by conducting an experiment in 50 normal volunteers and a clinical trial in 75 patients with Eustachian tube obstruction and in 25 patients with chronic serous otitis media. The lower opening pressure and higher available head of pressure, characteristic of this new maneuver, is hoped to be of definite therapeutic value in the management of the previously mentioned conditions. This maneuver has a potential for use in aviation medicine.