Otovent®
Say Goodbye to Pain when Flying
Barotitis is an acute inflammation, which occurs due to that a negative pressure builds up in the middle ear. This occurs when there is a change in surrounding atmospheric pressure, e.g. in the cabin of an aircraft, particularly when descending. The characteristics of Barotitis are pain and temporary hearing impairment in the affected ear. Occasionally there may be vertigo and a hearing impairment of a more permanent nature. With OTOVENT®, equalizing the pressure is easy.
The incidence of developing Barotitis is approximately 10% amongst adults and 20% in children. In a study published in 2004 it was established that 14% of 188 passengers experienced symptoms of Barotitis . This was reduced to 6% following inflation with OTOVENT®.
Cabin Pressure
During air travel a negative pressure may develop in the middle ear. The problem arises in connection with descent when the atmospheric pressure in the cabin increases, whereby a negative pressure behind the eardrum occurs, drawing it inward. If the negative pressure cannot be normalized this leads to an extremely painful condition, called Barotitis, which may cause vertigo (normally transient) and impaired hearing. It has been shown that children under 8 years old develop varying degrees of Barotitis during air travel. Adults are normally able to normalize the negative pressure by squeezing the nostrils together and forcing air into the ear (this method is called the Valsalva maneuver). However children, and a proportion of adults, have difficulty peforming this maneuver.
The Otovent® Method
The majority of individuals suffering pain from negative pressure in the middle ear can simply use the OTOVENT® balloon in order to equalize the negative pressure. The method is simple to perform and is also suitable for children from the age of 3 years. The OTOVENT® method can easily be treated as a game. Practice by blowing up the balloon a couple of times via each nostril using the nose-adapter before flying (see below). It is advisable to begin equalizing the pressure when descending is announced. Best results are achieved where equalization is commenced before the negative pressure in the ear is experienced.
How to use Otovent®?
- Connect the balloon to the nose piece. Hold the round part of the nose piece firmly against the right nostril with the right hand. Press the left nostril closed with the left hand.
- Inhale deeply, close the mouth and the inflate the balloon until it is the size of a grapefruit, by blowing through the nostril.
- Repeat the procedure with the left nostril.
When the balloon is inflated to a grapefuit size the technique is correct and therefore optimum benefits from the treatment will be gained. You will know that the treatment works if you or your child experiences a pressure increase and/or a "pop" in the ear. If the ear does not “pop” upon inflation, the patient should swallow as the balloon deflates back through the nasal passage way.
Note! Maximum 20 inflations per balloon.
Relief you can trust.
No Patient injury or negative side effects have been reported using Otovent. This safety record gives you confidence with the results you expect for your child and you! The Otovent balloons in the pack are carefully manufactured to achieve the therapeutic pressure required to open the eustachian tube. When used correctly, the Otovent method provides excellent results in the treatment of children and adults with Secretory otitis media/Otitis media with effusion (SOM/OME). 50% of children (from approximentally 3-4 years) achieve equalization or a lower negative pressure in the middle ear.
The Otovent® Game
The soothing effects of Otovent provide pain relief while making it fun for children and adults too! Children generally view blowing up the balloon using the Otovent method as a game, which makes carrying out the treatment easier. Slightly older children, who have learned the Otovent method, can both perform and monitor the treatment themselves.
