North Richmond Today

• 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. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said that because the sinuses and the eustachian tube are connected, sinusitis can trigger inflammation in the eustachian tube as well. 

"Because the lining of the sinuses is the same lining as the lining in the eustachian tube, that mucosa is just as reactive to bacteria and inflammatory mediators as it is in the sinuses," Ditto told North Richmond Today. "When you have sinusitis, in fact, you can actually see the infected mucus traveling down the back of the nose over and across eustachian tube opening. That then causes inflammation. Because that's an adjacent structure, it causes inflammation in the eustachian tube."

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 used 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 your 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.