Litchfield Hills Today

• 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.

For those struggling with ETD, it's beneficial to seek treatment from a specialist. Dr. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center says that a balloon dilation procedure isn't only limited to the sinuses, but it can be used for the eustachian tubes as well.

"We can use the same balloon (as in balloon sinuplasty) in the eustachian tube," Weiss told Litchfield Hills Today. "It's a little different technique, but we tend to do it simultaneously. We're doing all the other stuff because we're right there. We're a centimeter away from the eustachian tube opening in the back of the nose, and we use the balloon to open the eustachian tube."

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.

These passageways have a relatively small diameter and can become obstructed due to several 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. This condition is called eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), and it can be caused by sinusitis issues like allergies, a common cold, the flu or chronic acid reflux. The symptoms might get worse with altitude changes, such as flying on an airplane or while scuba diving.

ETD is a condition that occurs quite frequently, according to Healthline. Depending on its underlying cause, it may resolve naturally or with straightforward home remedies. However, in more severe or recurrent instances, it is recommend to seek medical attention from a doctor.

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. 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.