Columbus Standard

• Allergies and infections are the most common causes of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).
• ETD might resolve on its own, but if symptoms last longer than two weeks, it's recommended to see a doctor.
• Treatment options include at-home remedies, prescription antibiotics or surgical procedures.

Dr. Nicholas Hollenkamp of Indianapolis Sinus Center said eustachian tube dysfunction can be uncomfortable and can eventually lead to more serious problems, but fortunately there are treatment options available for patients. 

"Eustachian tube dysfunction is ear pressure in a nutshell," Hollenkamp told the Columbus Standard. "It's where the eustachian tubes are not ventilating the middle ear as well as it should. It can really be debilitating. (Patients) get a lot of ear pressure and discomfort. When it gets worse, they have fluid behind the ears and bigger problems. In the past, all we could do for that was to treat the allergies or to treat the sinus inflammation and then put tubes in the ears. But a tube is a hole in the eardrum. With the same balloons we use for the sinuplasty, you can use this to do eustachian tube dilation, and that's a way to help dilate, or open up, that eustachian tube to allow it to ventilate better, without making any cuts or doing anything destructive."

The eustachian tube connects the middle ears to the upper throat, and if the tube becomes blocked, it can lead to hearing problems, ringing in the ears, balance issues, discomfort similar to an ear infection, or a feeling of fullness in the ears, according to Cleveland Clinic. This condition is called eustachian tube dysfunction, and it can be caused by allergies, a common cold, the flu or chronic acid reflux.

The symptoms might get worse with altitude changes, such as on an airplane or while scuba diving. ETD frequently resolves on its own, but if symptoms last for more than two weeks, it's recommended to visit a doctor. 

At-home remedies to resolve ETD include chewing gum, yawning, swallowing or using a saline nasal spray. People whose ETD has been caused by allergies could clear up their symptoms by using an antihistamine or other over-the-counter medications. People whose ETD has been caused by an infection might be prescribed antibiotics.

If at-home remedies or medications do not resolve the issue, a doctor might recommend a surgical treatment. One option is eustachian tuboplasty, also known as eustachian tube balloon dilation. This surgery is relatively new and involves a doctor inserting a small balloon through the nasal passage into the eustachian tube and then inflating the balloon. The balloon remains inflated for about two minutes before the doctor deflates and removes it. Patients typically recover from this surgery within one day.

Other surgical treatment options for ETD include myringotomy and pressure equalization tubes. During a myringotomy, the doctor makes a small incision in the eardrum, allowing fluid to drain from the middle ear. Patients typically need three to four weeks to recover. Pressure equalization tubes are placed by a surgeon inside the eardrum and allow for proper ventilation to the middle ear. The tubes are typically left in place for 12 to 18 months.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis, allergies and ETD, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.