NCT Number: NCT07796139
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, providing ventilation of the middle ear. People with a patulous Eustachian tube perceive the tube stays open continuously. This can make a person's own voice and breathing sound unusually loud in the ear and can cause a feeling of fullness or blocked hearing. There is currently no agreed-upon first treatment for these symptoms.
Some people with this condition notice their symptoms improve when they gently pull the cheek outward to widen the nasal passage. A nasal dilator is a small, soft device worn just inside the nostrils that does something similar by holding the nasal passage more open. Nasal dilators are sold over the counter and are commonly used for stuffy nose and snoring. They have not been studied as a treatment for patulous Eustachian tube.
This study will look at whether wearing a nasal dilator reduces symptoms in adults with patulous Eustachian tube. About 50 adults treated at Houston Methodist will take part. Everyone in the study receives the nasal dilator; there is no placebo or comparison group.
Participants complete a 10-question symptom survey before using the device, again 10 minutes after putting it in for the first time, and once more at a follow-up clinic visit about 3 to 4 weeks later. Between visits, participants wear the device at home and keep track of how often they use it. At the follow-up visit they also answer questions about whether the device was comfortable and easy to use, and whether they had any side effects. Participation lasts about 3 to 4 weeks.
Interested in participating?
Request Info18 year and older
All sexes
Interventional
Not applicable
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Location status: Recruiting
Jeffrey Vrabec, MD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Roger Neuberger, BS
CONTACT
Stephanie Camey, BA
CONTACT
This is a single-arm, prospective, pre/post pilot study of a commercially available internal nasal dilator (Airmax) in adults with clinically confirmed patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction and a positive Cottle maneuver. Symptom burden is measured with the Patulous Eustachian Tube Handicap Inventory-10 (PHI-10) at baseline, 10 minutes after first device application, and at a 3-4 week follow-up visit. The study is intended to generate effect-size estimates to inform the design of subsequent controlled trials. The device is over-the-counter, 510(k)-exempt, used without modification, and the study is exempt from IDE requirements under 21 CFR 812.2(c).
Healthy volunteers accepted: No
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Single-patient-use, over-the-counter internal nasal dilator worn inside the nasal vestibule to laterally support the nasal valve and increase nasal cross-sectional area. Devices are supplied in sealed retail packaging without modification. Participants wear the device per the prescribed schedule from the baseline visit until the follow-up visit at 3 to 4 weeks.
Other names: Airmax Nasal Dilator
Time frame: Baseline and 3 to 4 weeks
The PHI-10 is a 10-item validated patient-reported instrument measuring symptom burden in patulous Eustachian tube. Total scores range from 0 to 40, with lower scores indicating fewer symptoms. The outcome is the change in total score from baseline to the follow-up visit.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 minutes after first application
Change in PHI-10 total score from baseline to 10 minutes (±5 minutes) after the participant first applies the nasal dilator, assessing immediate symptom response. Scores range 0 to 40; lower is better.
Time frame: Baseline through 3 to 4 weeks
Self-reported average hours of device wear per day and percentage of prescribed days on which the device was worn, collected at the follow-up visit.
Time frame: 3 to 4 weeks
Participant ratings of comfort, ease of use, and willingness to continue use, each scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability.
Time frame: 3 to 4 weeks
Single-item participant-reported rating of overall change in symptoms since baseline, collected at the follow-up visit.
Time frame: Baseline through 3 to 4 weeks
Count of participants experiencing device-related adverse events, including nasal irritation, pressure discomfort, and epistaxis. Assessed at first wear, at the follow-up visit, and by interim report between visits.
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Roger Neuberger, BS
CONTACT
Stephanie Camey, BA
CONTACT
The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Other
Prospective PI-Initiated Study of Nasal Dilator Therapy in Patulous Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
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View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.
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