Evaluation of the ear functions of springboard and platform di̇vers

Objective: To evaluate the ear functions of spring board and platform divers by taking into consideration the middle ear functions, middle ear rezonance frequency and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test and balance functions. Material and methods: This study consists of 34 athletes (17 girls, 17 boys) from 07-15 age group who does spring board and platform diving sports, and 34 children with age and gender matching who were not related to this sport. The parents of the participants received the approval form and the participants were informed about the tests applied. In the audiometric evaluations of the divers, pure sound hearing thresholds at frequencies 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 300Hz, 4000 Hz, 6000 Hz, 8000 Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000hz, pure sound bone path hearing thresholds, timpanograms values, Rezonance frequency values in multifrequency timpanometry and reflex thresholds were evaluated. In addition, VEMP test was applied and cVEMP and oVEMP amplitud values of patients were recorded. Results: In this study, the left threshold of cVEMP amplitudes in female divers was statistically low (P=0.031), and oVEMP amplitude left values were statistically significant in all athletes (P=0.011). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of mean and median Rezonance frequency values. In balance tests of spring board and platform divers, the left low value of cVEMP amplitude was lower for female divers while oVEMP left amplitude value was higher for men divers. In the tympanogram test; TTP value was lower in athletes on the right ear. There was no statistically significant correlation between hearing loss and the results of the function of the eustachian tube functions and the results of the balance functions. Conclusion: In this study, sudden pressure changes for spring board and platform divers does not make a statistically significant difference between the middle ear functions and the hearing levels according to the control group. However, there was a statistically significant difference in cVEMP and oVEMP amplitude values for spring board and platform divers. For kids that are interested in this sport and going to start a diving training program should get an education first then if necessary, should do some simulation studies. KeyWords: Spring board and Platform Diving, divers, sudden pressure change, hearing loss, multifrequency tympanometry, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.