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Frequently Asked Questions about the EarPopper
Does it work?
What does it do?
Who are candidates for treatment?
How does it work?
How is it used?
Is it safe? Could air pressure damage the ear?
Does it hurt?
How much is the EarPopper?
Does my insurance cover the cost of the EP-2100 prescription
Home Version?
Q: Does it work?
A: Yes - a two part clinical study funded by NIH (National Institutes
of Health) was recently published in the September and October 2005 issues of
the scientific journal - Ear, Nose and Throat Journal. This study showed an efficacy
rate of around 85% in the patients who used the EarPopper treatment.
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Q: What does it do?
A: The middle ear is a closed, air filled chamber that is normally
ventilated by the Eustachian tube. The middle ear is separated from the outer
ear by the ear drum. Under some circumstances, pressure in the middle ear can
become higher or lower than the pressure in the outer ear. This condition can
cause hearing loss, severe pain and, in some cases, cause fluid to accumulate
in the middle ear. The EarPopper equalizes pressure in the middle ear by opening
the Eustachian tube.
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Q: Who are candidates for treatment?
A: Children and adults diagnosed with fluid in the middle ear,
airplane passengers or divers who have problems adjusting to changes in elevation,
persons with Eustachian tube dysfunction, etc.
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Q: How does it work?
A: The Ear Popper directs a steady, controlled stream of air
into the nose. Swallowing diverts the air into the Eustachian tube, opening the
Eustachian tube and relieving pressure imbalance in the middle ear. (The effectiveness
of this technique was originally discovered by Dr. Adam Politzer in the nineteenth
century).
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Q: How is it used?
A: The user places the EarPopper firmly against one nostril,
blocks his/her other nostril, activates the device, and swallows while the device
is running. For simple pressure imbalance, relief can be instantaneous. When fluid
is present, the treatment is repeated twice in each nostril, twice a day and is
recommended for seven weeks or until the hearing returns.
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Q: Is it safe? Could air pressure damage the ear?
A: The EarPopper is extremely safe. A recent clinical study funded
by NIH (National Institutes of Health) was conducted on children and demonstrated
the safety and efficacy of the device. There is no pressure in the ear until swallowing
occurs. During swallowing, the pressure in the ear is controlled by the device
at a very safe level. The total duration of pressure is less than one second.
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Q: Does it hurt?
A: The familiar "popping" of the ears is caused by
the opening of the Eustachian tube during swallowing. This is nature's own way
of relieving pressure imbalance in the middle ear. The sensation of the ear "popping"
during the EarPopper treatment is important because it indicates the treatment
is working. The popping can be experienced as ranging from practically no sensation
at all to a momentary mild feeling of pressure. The EarPopper has different settings
to accommodate different tolerances of the sensation. Most of the children in
the clinical study tolerated the sensation very well. Many even thought it was
fun.
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Q: How much is the EarPopper?
A: The office version is the EP-3000 Pro which has a list price
of around $300. The professional version uses disposable tips (10 are included with
the device); additional tips are available (product number
EP-1000) which cost $150.00 for a box of 50 disposable tips.
The home version is the EP-2100 which has a suggested retail price of $199.99. The EP-2100 Home Version
is only available with a prescription. Always consult your healthcare provider before
use.
(Prices provided are for the USA. Pricing may vary in other countries.)
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Q: Does my insurance cover the
cost of the EP-2100 prescription Home Version?
A: The EarPopper sells for approximately $200; however, your cost may vary depending on your insurance coverage, co-pay amounts and the individual pharmacy.
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