Acoustic analysis of the inflation sound in Eustachian catheterization.

To check the reliability of the Eustachian tube catheterization as a test of tubal dysfunction, a soundspectrographic analysis of inflation sound was carried out in 130 tubes. A close correlation between each tubal condition classified by objective tests and their soundspectrographic features indicated the reliability of the test. The origin of an inflation sound in obstructive tubes which displayed three sonagraphic types was examined by a tubal model. It was revealed that the stenotic sound mainly originated from turbulent air at the tubal orifice.