The eustachian tube is a small canal that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and upper throat. It serves as a mechanism to equalize air pressure in the middle ear with outside pressure. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs when the tube fails to open (stuck closed) during swallowing or yawning resulting in a difference between the air pressure inside and outside the middle ear. This condition, mostly commonly seen in young children, can cause ear pain and sometimes difficulty hearing.
Causes of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- The most common cause is an infection of the nose such as a cold or sinusitis
- Enlarged adenoids and tonsils, especially in children
- Allergies
- Smoking and pollution
- Nose polyps or nasal tumors
- Cleft palate
Symptoms of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Pulling or tugging on the ear (for young children especially)
- Discomfort or pain in the ear
- Ears feel full or clogged
- Ringing or popping noises in the ears
- Hearing loss
- Dizziness or a sensation of spinning known as vertigo
- Symptoms that cannot be relieved by swallowing, yawning, or chewing
Medical Treatment for Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Nasal or oral decongestants
- Oral antihistamines
- Nasal steroids to relieve nasal congestion and enable the eustachian tube to open
- Pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Surgical Treatment for Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
If medical treatment fails or symptoms recur, surgery of the eustachian tube may be indicated.
- Placement of a pressure equalization tube (PET) in the eardrum (myringotomy and PET placement).
- Balloon eustachian tuboplasty: a new minimally invasive treatment option for eustachian tube dysfunction which consist of dilating the eustachian tube with a pressure filled balloon.
Learn more about ear tube insertions.