Ft Worth Times

• Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) can be caused by allergies, a common cold, the flu or chronic acid reflux.
• ETD frequently resolves on its own, but if symptoms last for more than two weeks, it's recommended to visit a doctor.
• If at-home remedies or medications do not resolve ETD, a doctor might recommend surgical treatment.

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 (ETD), 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 could 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 ETD, a doctor might recommend 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.

Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free said many people who suffer from chronic sinus problems will also experience eustachian tube dysfunction, but the eustachian tube can be dilated with a balloon to treat the dysfunction. 

"Eustachian tube dysfunction is what happens when the eustachian tube that connects the back of the throat to the middle ear space doesn't work properly," Trimble told Ft. Worth Times. "If patients that have significant sinus issues get sick, upper respiratory infections can adversely affect the way the eustachian tube functions, and that's often why people may get fluid in their middle ear space or they may get an ear infection. 

"I always tell patients, the interesting thing about ear problems is that most of those things that people complain about, from stuffiness to decreased hearing because of an ear infection, can be improved with them improving sinus health. I recently treated a friend of mine who has a long history of sinus problems as well as ear issues. During a sinus procedure, we also dilated his eustachian tube to try to improve its function over time. 

"I also see a lot of people that tend to have muscle tension issues because of the sinus problems, and that can also cause ear pain and pressure. We try to differentiate eustachian tube dysfunction from other causes, but the interesting thing is that seems like everyone who has a better-functioning nose – that can breathe better through their nose – it seems like those issues ultimately will get better for those people."

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 take 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 12-18 months. 

For more information about chronic sinusitis and treatments please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.