Rhinogenic hearing loss (endotympanic insufflations)

What it involves

Endotympanic insufflations are individual treatments performed by specialist physicians, intended for patients with rhinogenous deafness or with conditions consistent with Eustachian tube dysfunction. The technique consists of introducing sulphurous thermal gas at low pressure into the tubal region, to promote ventilation, drainage and the clearing of secretions.

The treatment is normally part of a broader programme that also includes the inhalation therapies: disorders of the middle ear and of the Eustachian tube are often closely linked to the condition of the nose and nasopharynx.

The cycle covered by the Italian National Health Service (SSN)

The cure for rhinogenous deafness covered by the SSN comprises 12 insufflations, 6 inhalations and 6 aerosol sessions.

Prices

• Cure for rhinogenous deafness — includes one insufflation and one inhalation therapy session: € 25,00 per session. Full cycle of 12 sessions (12 insufflations and 12 inhalation therapy sessions): € 300,00, admission medical examination included.
• Single endotympanic insufflation: € 18,00, plus the admission medical examination (€ 20,00, paid once).
• First specialist ear, nose and throat examination, optional for those who already have a specialist’s prescription: € 90,00.

How to access the cure

With the SSN

You need the red prescription form (ricetta rossa) from your GP (family doctor), which must state the condition, the diagnosis and the cure. For it to be valid for this cure, it must carry the following wording, written in Italian (meaning: “A cycle of treatment for rhinogenous deafness (12 endotympanic insufflations, 6 inhalations and 6 aerosol sessions) is requested for chronic catarrhal or purulent otitis or tubal stenosis”):

Si richiede un ciclo di cura della sordità rinogena (12 insufflazioni endotimpaniche, 6 inalazioni e 6 aerosol) per otite catarrale o purulenta cronica oppure stenosi tubarica

With the prescription form you are entitled to a cycle of twelve sessions, paying only the co-payment (ticket). The SSN covers one cycle of cures per year. War and service invalids, blind people, deaf people and civil invalids (including those with an invalidity between 34% and 66%) may have a second one in the same year, to treat the condition that caused the invalidity. The second cycle is also paid according to one’s own exemption.

Privately (self-paying)

For private access the indication of an ear, nose and throat specialist is required. If you already have a prescription from an ENT specialist for endotympanic insufflations, you can access the treatment directly: the specialist ENT examination at our centre is not required, but recommended. If you do not have a prescription, you obtain it with the first specialist ENT examination, by appointment. Before the first session an admission medical examination is carried out: it is included in the full cycle for rhinogenous deafness (12 insufflations and 12 inhalation therapy sessions), while for single insufflations it costs € 20,00.

If, during the admission medical examination, the physician finds conditions that prevent the treatment, the patient is sent to the cash desk for a refund of the prepaid cures; the admission medical examination (€ 20,00) is charged in any case.

Booking

No booking is required: access to the therapies is during the department’s opening hours.