Direct measurement of eustachian tube compliance.

We developed a method by which tubal compliance can be directly measured, and using this method we examined tubal compliance in 18 adults with a disease-free ear and 8 adults with chronic otitis media. This method is advantageous in that one can directly measure tubal compliance in the cartilaginous part of the eustachian tube. It is our view that each eustachian tube has its own compliance which is not influenced by mucosal swelling or muscle tension around the tube.