The Valsalva maneuver: its relationship to chronic recurrent aerotitis media.

Abstract : The finding that 95 of the 100 experienced pilots--assumed to be free of chronic recurrent aerotitis media--performed the Valsalva maneuver successfully in both ears supports the proposition that ability to Valsalva is a desirable screening requirement. From these data it cannot be concluded that those unable to perform the Valsalva maneuver will develop recurrent, traumatic inflammation of the middle ear; however, there is rather striking evidence that subjects not suffering from this condition are able to perform the maneuver satisfactorily.