[Behavior of impedance of the middle ear during rapid changes in barometric pressure]. / Andamento dell'impedenza dell'orecchio medio durante variazioni rapide della pressione barometrica.

The first results on the dynamic behaviour of middle ear impedenzometric variations starting from an altitude of 3,000 mt and descending constantly by about 1,500 mt/min to sea level, are reported. The research was carried out in a hypobaric chamber, under simulated flight conditions, using the equipment of the Aeronautics and Space Medicine Studies and Research Centre of the Air Force. Evaluation of the results obtained in subjects trained for rapid descents and in others not so trained suggests that the technique used is a useful aid in the diagnosis of the tubal conditions of subjects who are to be subjected to rapid ascents and descents.

[Behavior of the impedance of the middle ear and of the stapedius reflex under static conditions of barometric depression]. / Andamento dell'impedenza dell'orecchio medio e del riflesso stapediale in condizioni statiche di depressione barometrica.

The authors present the preliminary results of a range of their aero-space medicine studies, carried out in hypobaric chamber, in simulated flight and at different atmospheric pressures, to asses the tubal function in normal hearing people. The tympanometric determination through a Z072 Madsen inpendenzometer in static and dynamic conditions of barometric depression gave a clear and exact indications about the impedence variation capacity of the middle ear in similated flight, giving homogenous data which allow the use of this method in flying recruitment aptitude test routine.

[The use of an automatic device for recording the recovery time from auditory fatigue in flight personnel exposed to noise]. / Considerazioni sull'impiego della registrazione automatica del tempo di recupero della pratica uditiva (P.A.T.) nel personale aeronavigante esposto a rumore.

The results of a study conducted on individuals exposed to aeronautical environment noise (flight personnel, runway operators, mechanics etc.) are reported. A particular suprathreshold automatic audiometric technique, called P.A.T. (automatic Peyser test) was used because there was evidence that it was more trustworthy than other suprathreshold tests and because this test permits a graphic follow-up of the dynamic evolution of "uditive fatique" phenomenon. The conclusion is drawn with this method it is possible to evaluate more precisely both the entity of the damage and on possible suffering of Corti's organ in individuals exposed to noise, and the simplicity of the test is underlined. Moreover the test is advantageous because it can be done using the normal routine diagnostic apparatus.