West LA Times

• 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. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said eustachian tube dysfunction can be uncomfortable and may eventually lead to more serious problems, but fortunately there are treatment options available for patients. 

"Eustachian tube dysfunction is the collapse of the tube that runs from the nasal cavity to the ear. This is what you feel when you're going up on an airplane, going up through a mountain pass or diving deep underwater, that's the pressure you feel in your ears," Hershcovitch told West LA Times. "It's a very annoying problem when it does occur. Unfortunately, it does not resolve very quickly for some people, and a lot of people who have chronic sinusitis and allergies have this as a chronic problem."

Hershcovitch discussed one in-office option to help people suffering from ETD.

"We can actually do a balloon dilation of the eustachian tube to force it open, remodel it and keep it open, so the ears can ventilate," he said. "Prior to the advent of the balloon catheter, the only way to do this was to take them to surgery and make a hole in the eardrum and sometimes have to put a tube in there. This has revolutionized it as a minimally invasive procedure."

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 could 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 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.

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