Gateway Reporter

• 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. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers wants ETD patients to know that eustachian tube dilation is a great treatment option for those whose symptoms haven't improved after medical management, such nasal and oral steroids.

“We use the same balloon that we use for the sinuses, just configured in a different angle,” Khanna told Gateway Reporter. “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 the next day.”

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 worsen 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 condition has been caused by an infection may be prescribed antibiotics.

If at-home remedies or medications do not resolve ETD, 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 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. Pressure equalization tubes are placed by a surgeon inside the eardrum and allow for proper ventilation to the middle ear. While patients who have a myringotomy typically take three to four weeks to recover, pressure equalization tubes are typically left in place for 12 to 18 months.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis, allergies and ETD, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.