What is the eustachian tube? — The eustachian tube is a tube that connects the middle ear (the part of the ear behind the eardrum) to the back of the nose and throat (figure 1).
Normally, the eustachian tube helps keep the air pressure inside the middle ear the same as the air pressure outside the middle ear. If there is a problem with the eustachian tube, the air pressure inside the middle ear won’t be the same as the air pressure outside it. This can damage the middle ear and cause ear pain, hearing loss, and other symptoms. “Ear barotrauma” is the medical term for when people have symptoms or damage in the middle ear because of air pressure differences.
Most eustachian tube problems are not serious. They usually last only a short time and get better on their own.
But eustachian tube problems sometimes lead to serious problems, such as:
●A middle ear infection
●A torn eardrum
●Hearing loss
Long-term hearing loss from eustachian tube problems can also lead to language or speech problems in children.
What causes eustachian tube problems? — Common causes of eustachian tube problems are:
●Illnesses or conditions that make the eustachian tubes swollen or inflamed – These include colds, allergies, ear infections, or sinus infections. The sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face.
●Sudden air pressure changes – Sudden air pressure changes can happen when people fly in an airplane, scuba dive, or drive in the mountains.
●Growths that block the eustachian tube
●Being born with an abnormal eustachian tube
What are the symptoms of a eustachian tube problem? — Common symptoms of a eustachian tube problem include:
●Ear pain
●Feeling pressure or fullness in the ear
●Trouble hearing
●Ringing in the ear
●Feeling dizzy
Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See your doctor or nurse if your symptoms are severe, get worse, or if they don’t go away after a few days.
Will I need tests? — Probably not. Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have a eustachian tube problem by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.
If your symptoms are severe or last for a long time, your doctor or nurse might:
●Have you see a special kind of doctor called an ear, nose, and throat doctor
●Do tests to check your hearing
●Do an imaging test – Imaging tests can create pictures of the inside of the body.
How are eustachian tube problems treated? — Treatment depends on what’s causing the eustachian tube problem. Depending on your individual situation, your doctor might treat you with one or more of the following:
●Nose sprays
●Antihistamines – These medicines are usually used to treat allergies. They help stop itching, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms.
●Decongestants – These medicines can help with stuffy nose symptoms.
●Antibiotic medicines – Antibiotics are not needed to treat eustachian tube problems. But if you have an infection caused by bacteria in addition to your eustachian tube problems, your doctor can treat it with antibiotics.
●Surgery – Most people do not need surgery for eustachian tube problems. But people might need surgery if their symptoms don’t get better with medicines or they have severe or long-term symptoms.
Superintendent, ICH.