Autoinflation

'Autoinflation' refers to the opening of, and forcing of air through, the Eustachian tube by the raising of intranasal pressure

• may be achieved by:
  • forced exhalation with closed mouth and nose, or
  • blowing up a balloon through each nostril (otovent device), or
  • use of an anaesthetic mask or a Politzer device
    
    
• aim of these procedures is to introduce air into the middle ear, via the Eustachian tube, and equilibrate the pressures
  • most likely to help in 'Eustachian tube dysfunction' and has been proposed as a treatment for otitis media with effusion
    
    
• a systematic review concerning the use of 'autoinflation' suggested that:
  • "...because of the low cost and absence of adverse effects it is reasonable to consider autoinflation whilst awaiting natural resolution of otitis media with effusion.." (1)
• a later review suggested that (2):
  • "...Autoinflation with a purpose-manufactured device (Otovent device or ear-popper) may be more effective than no treatment at improving outcomes (measured by tympanogram, audiogram, or composite outcomes). However, results varied by the analysis undertaken and the specific outcome reported ( very low-quality evidence )..."

NICE suggest in non-surgical management of otitis media with effusion:

• auto-inflation:
  • consider auto-inflation in children with OME (otitis media with effusion) if they are able to engage with the treatment

Reference:

• 1) Perera R et al. Autoinflation for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Oct 18;(4):CD006285.
• 2) Williamson I. Otitis media with effusion in children. Clin Evid (Online). 2007 Aug 1;2007. pii: 0502
• 3) NICE (August 2023).Otitis media with effusion in under 12s .