West Hillsborough News

• Eustachian tubes are responsible for regulating ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear.
• Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs when the tubes are obstructed, resulting in pain, hearing problems and a feeling of fullness in the ears
• Severe cases of ETD require treatment from a medical professional.

Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says that ETD is a common condition that can lead to uncomfortable pressure in the ears. This can be treated by seeking help from an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist.

"Eustachian tube dysfunction is a condition that leads to ear fullness, pressure, popping and crackling -- difficulty when equalizing on airplanes or going into a high altitude,” Pate told West Hillsborough News. “This condition is very common and really goes hand-in-hand with sinus and allergies. I'm sure you have friends or family members who can never clear their ears. Some of this dysfunction is very common, and it does affect many people."

According to Healthline, eustachian tubes are narrow passageways connecting the middle ears to the upper throat. Their primary role is to regulate ear pressure and facilitate the drainage of fluid from the middle ear, which is situated behind the eardrum. Typically, these tubes remain closed, except when you engage in actions like chewing, swallowing or yawning. Depending on its underlying cause, it may resolve naturally or with straightforward self-care remedies at home.

These passageways have a relatively small diameter and can become obstructed due to various factors. If the tubes become 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. ETD can be caused by sinusitis issues like allergies, a common cold, the flu or chronic acid reflux. The symptoms could get worse with altitude changes, such as flying on an airplane or while scuba diving.

If at-home remedies or medications do not resolve ETD, a doctor might recommend another treatment. One option is eustachian tuboplasty, also known as eustachian tube balloon dilation. According to Cleveland Clinic, this procedure is relatively new. It involves a doctor inserting a small balloon through the nasal passage into the eustachian tube and then inflating the balloon. They noted that the balloon remains inflated for about two minutes before the doctor deflates and removes it. Patients typically recover from this surgery within a couple of days.

To see if you might be affected by ETD, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.