Adequate middle ear (ME) pressure-regulation, defined as the maintenance of a total ME pressure at approximately ambient levels, is required for normal hearing and to preserve ME health. The mechanism of ME pressure-regulation consists of two distinct components that affect total ME gas pressure: the bolus, total gradient driven exchange of gases between the ME and nasopharynx during active, transient Eustachian tube (ET) openings and the passive, partial-pressure gradient driven diffusive exchange of gases between the ME cavity and adjacent compartments including the local blood via the ME mucosa (MEM) and environment via the tympanic membrane. The basic physiology of gas transfers through the ET is well established and a slow to negligible gas exchange across the normal and inflamed tympanic membrane has been measured for chinchillas, cats and monkeys, and confirmed by us for humans. In contrast, the characteristics of transMEM gas exchange is controversial. Mathematical modeling shows that transMEM gas exchange controls the ME pressure trajectory between ET openings and the relative rates of exchange for the different physiologic gases defines the demand placed on the ET for ME gas resupply. Here, we empirically measure the transMEM ME-to-blood and the blood-to-ME exchange constants for the physiologic gases in humans with normal and inflamed MEMs. For that purpose, a total of 20 otherwise healthy adult subjects, 10 with no significant history of ME ear disease (Group-1) and 10 with at least 1 functional ventilation tube (VT) inserted for extant ME disease (Group-2). Group-1 subjects will have VT insertion under local anesthetic in the research clinic and, for all subjects, a custom-made acrylic ear-plug will be fabricated and fitted with a sensor for measuring pressure, a syringe for adjusting system pressure and micro-tubing to allow for periodic gas sampling with composition analysis by an online mass-spectrometer. All subjects will undergo a series of six transMEM gas exchange experiments, with each experiment designed to establish a ME-to-blood or a blood-to-ME partial-pressure gradient for one of the 3 physiologic gases, N2, O2 or CO2. During each experiment, the ear-plug will be inserted into and sealed within the ear canal. The ear-plug will be attached by valves to a line leading to the mass-spectrometer and to a known composition gas source, and the system (ear-plug + ME) washed with a test gas specific to the experiment. Then, the ear-plug will be closed to the gas source, and for the 60 to 90 minute duration of the experiment, system pressure will be recorded continuously and ME gas samples will be taken at 10 minute intervals for composition analysis. The data will be transformed to estimate the transMEM conductance (exchange constant) for the test gas. On the last day of the experimental series, the Group-2 subjects will be dismissed; Group-1 subjects will have their VT removed and then be followed weekly until the tympanic membrane perforation has healed. At that time, audiometry which was performed before VT insertion will be repeated. The results will be used to complete our mathematical models of ME pressure-regulation as the ME transitions from health to disease. These empirical data will also be used to evaluate certain hypotheses related to the limitations placed on the exchange of each gas species and regarding the directional symmetry of the exchange processes.
