Hyponasality Associated with Patulous Eustachian Tubes: Report of a Case

Abstract

Functional hyponasality sometimes occurs as a readily identifiable concomitant of patulous eustachian tubes. This case report suggests that the presence and severity of the speech problem is directly related to autophony and the patient’s ability to tolerate this characteristic symptom of abnormally patent eustachian tubes. Reduction in autophony appeared to produce proportional reduction in denasality. Elimination of aural symptoms consistently resulted in the abrupt return of normal speech.