Atlantic County Times

• Eustachian tubes are connected to the sinuses.
• Symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) include ear pain, hearing difficulties and a feeling of fullness in the ears.
• Treatment options for ETD include antihistamines, decongestants and balloon dilation.

According to Healthline, eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between the middle ears and the upper throat. They are responsible for equalizing ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, the part of the ear behind the eardrum. The eustachian tubes are usually closed except during chewing, swallowing or yawning.

These passageways are small in size and can get plugged for a variety of reasons. Blocked eustachian tubes can cause pain, hearing difficulties and a feeling of fullness in the ears. Such a phenomenon is referred to as eustachian tube dysfunction. ETD is a relatively common condition. Depending on the cause, it may resolve on its own or through simple at-home treatment measures, such as chewing gum, yawning or using a saline nasal spray. Severe or recurring cases, however, may require a visit to the doctor.

"The eustachian tube empties into the back of the nose," Dr. Nicola DeLorio at Accent Sinus Center & Head & Neck Group told Atlantic County Times. "Many times people with chronic sinusitis have eustachian tube dysfunction because the same inflammation causing swelling in the membranes in the nose also causes inflammation of that eustachian tube. That fails then to work as well and equalize pressure."

One possible treatment for ETD is balloon dilation, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This procedure is minimally invasive and relatively new, having been approved by the FDA in 2005. A study of 126 children who underwent balloon dilation to treat ETD found that there were no reported complications, and symptoms improved in 80% of patients.

Readers experiencing sinus issues are invited to visit Accent Sinus Center & Head & Neck Group.