Gateway Reporter

A local sinus and allergy center is prepared to help patients with eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).

Dr. Manish Khanna, an otolaryngologist at Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said the eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nasal passages.

“The eustachian tube has a few functions: one is to help equalize the pressure in our middle years,” he told the Gateway Reporter. “Another function is to help drain the middle ear if there's fluid or mucus secretions within our middle ear. A proper functioning eustachian tube can help prevent that buildup and allow things to drain properly. And it also protects our ear, in a sense, from our nasal secretions, from all the things that we breathe in through our nose, so when the eustachian tube is partially closed, the eustachian tube can help prevent bacteria and thick secretions from getting into the middle ear. It's got multiple functions.”

Dr. Manish Khanna | Capitol Breathe Free

Eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between the middle ears and the upper throat and are responsible for equalizing ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, the part behind the eardrum. The eustachian tubes are usually closed, except for when people chew, swallow or yawn, according to Healthline.

“From inhaling fumes or cigarette smoke or such, the eustachian tube gets inflamed and it doesn't function as well, so it can lead to a feeling of increased pressure in the patient's ears. It can lead to fluid buildup in their middle ears as well,” Khanna said.

These passageways are small in size and can get plugged for a number of reasons. Blocked eustachian tubes can cause pain, hearing difficulties and a feeling of fullness in the ears. This is referred to as ETD.

Khanna added that the doctors at Capitol Breathe Free start with medical management, such as nasal steroids sprays and short courses of decongestants.

“If those don't seem to work, then we go to the next step, which is to try courses of oral steroids,” he said. “The problem with oral steroids is that there are side effects, and we have to be careful with overaggressive steroid use in patients because there are a number of side effects, even with just one dose of oral steroids. So we discuss with patients a procedural option called eustachian tube balloon dilation. We use the same balloon that we use for the sinus, just configured in different angle, and this is all done minimally invasively through the nasal passages, and we actually dilate the eustachian tube. It's a quick procedure, done in the office with patients awake or asleep, and they can get back to normal activities like flying or deep-sea diving, if they’d like to, the next day.”

ETD is a relatively common condition that may resolve on its own or through simple at-home treatment. Severe or recurring cases may require a visit to the doctor.

To evaluate your symptoms, take the Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers free online quiz.