Can this actually help equalizing!????

[tndash]

So, I have lately been posting some cool news about diving after an IEBT or PLF, but came across this video today. It was suggested to this person to use a balloon to inflate and swallow to improve eustachian tube function.

My question is to any docs,(mike), or ENTs out there is can this actually help?
The exercise is right in the beginning of the vid:


I did comment on her valsalva move to hopefully prevent her from hurting herself later, but really want to know if this exercise would help. Thanks all.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

So, I have lately been posting some cool news about diving after an IEBT or PLF, but came across this video today. It was suggested to this person to use a balloon to inflate and swallow to improve eustachian tube function.

My question is to any docs,(mike), or ENTs out there is can this actually help?
The exercise is right in the beginning of the vid:


I did comment on her valsalva move to hopefully prevent her from hurting herself later, but really want to know if this exercise would help. Thanks all.

I didn't watch the whole video but yes, that is a real device, and yes, it can help clear middle ears on the surface when used properly. We've also used them in the hyperbaric chamber.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[JMBL]

Is it a plain ordinary balloon or a special one ? If so, where is it possible to get some ? I've diving for almost 30 years now and have never heard of this technique. It seems the perfect one for a relative of mine.

 

[doctormike]

I just bought four cases of them today - we sell these at cost ($15) to families for kids who have chronic middle ear fluid in an attempt to avoid ear tubes. They do work and there is literature support for them being better than just waiting (which also helps).

That having been said, they are really for young children who can’t do a good valsalva maneuver. That’s what they really do, they are an incentive device to help kids who can’t blow their noses yet. Also helpful for kids with air travel issues. The balloon isn’t special, it’s the little plastic gadget at the end.

No reason why a diver couldn’t use this, but you are probably better off just learning to do a good gentle Valsalva and Toynbee maneuver to deal with middle ear barotrauma. I wouldn’t use it in cases of inner ear injury, PLF, etc...

 

[Esprise Me]

What does the plastic gadget do?

 

[doctormike]

It's just a little thing that makes a seal against your nostril on one side, and holds the balloon on the other side.

 

[uncfnp]

That’s a new one to me too. @doctormike How young?

 

[doctormike]

It's really hard for a kid under 3 to do it. Of course, even if they can't blow up the balloon, just trying does the same thing.

The balloon is sort of an incentive device - they can make a game of it by seeing how big they can get the balloon. Much younger than three and I would be worried about the risks of a balloon in terms of foreign body aspiration. Balloons are potentially deadly with small children, and you have to make sure that the parents know to keep them away from younger siblings.

 

[doctormike]

There are also powered devices, but I don't think that they have much of an advantage, and kids are scared of them. The Otovent has actually been tested in clinical trials:

Barotitis in children after aviation; prevalence and treatment with Otovent. - PubMed - NCBI

Conservative treatment of otitis media with effusion by autoinflation of the middle ear. - PubMed - NCBI


Here is something recent on its use in Adults:

Promising results after balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube for obstructive dysfunction. - PubMed - NCBI


And, of course, there is always someone to spoil things:

Pneumocephalus and orbital emphysema associated with the use of an autoinflation device: a unique case report and review of the literature. - PubMed - NCBI

 

[JMBL]

Thanks for sharing.