Abnormal patency of the eustachian tube. A complication of oral contraception

ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL features of the condition of abnormal patency of the eustachian tube were described by Jago,1who himself suffered from it, in 1867. It is characterized by an unpleasant feeling of tension upon the ear drum, an abnormal loudness of the voice and respiratory sounds in the affected ear termed "autophony," absence of deafness, and a normal appearance of the tympanic membrane. Jago discovered that the tube could be made to close temporarily by a sudden inspiratory effort with nose and mouth held closed. Symptoms also disappeared after a period during which he gained weight. After 14 years of practice, he had discovered only one other case. For many years this was considered to be a very rare entity, being found usually in association with rapid weight loss. It seems more likely that it has been overlooked or misdiagnosed. Although there are brief references to pregnancy