Gellé Test with Békésy Audiometry: III. Findings with Salpingitis

Abstract

After describing the technique of performing the Gellé test with Békésy audiometry, and following the definition of the range of normal values, this paper is devoted to the findings in cases of salpingitis. It could be confirmed that negative intratympanic pressure is counteracted by negative meatal pressure. At that moment, the hearing loss resulting from tubal obstruction is temporarily corrected.

It appears that negative pressure application during the Gellé test closes the air-bone gap of salpingitis momentarily. For this reason, the normal threshold shift, observed with negative meatal pressure, is inverted to an improved hearing level. Three patterns of Gellé test results are discussed, which seem to reflect the degree of tubal obstruction.