Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC EAR SYMPTOMS
The Oklahoma Sinus Center provides advanced diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from eustachian tube dysfunction.
What is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
The eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects your nasal passage with the ear. Responsible for equalizing pressure in the ear, many individuals are aware of this critical function when descending on flights or when diving deep in a swimming pool. In addition to these more painful moments, many individuals suffer from more subtle and chronic symptoms throughout the year. These symptoms can be aggravating and difficult to manage.
Symptoms and signs of Eustachian Tube illness
Symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction can vary dramatically, and can be mild or severe. These symptoms, especially when mild or subtle, can be difficult to diagnose with testing. Pain during flying, chronic popping in the ears, feeling of fluid in the ears, ear pressure, and imbalance are all symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction. Many individuals will complain of chronic pressure in one or both ears. Severe patterns of dysfunction can lead to hearing loss, ear pain, and deformity or damage to the ear drum.
Symptoms include:
- Fullness or pressure in the ears
- Feeling like your ears need to pop
- Muffled hearing, on one or both sides
- Popping or clicking in the ears
- More noticeable ringing in the ears
- Mild imbalance
- Pain in the ears
Treatment
Like many other disorders, identifying the root cause of the problem is the key to success. Allergy congestion can affect the eustachian tube, as can nasal swelling related to sinus bacterial infection. Treatment of these underlying disorders can help to promptly resolve many eustachian tube symptoms. For those with symptoms that persist, or are severe, many treatment options exist and can be tailored to the individual’s needs. From surgical treatment of nasal obstruction, to balloon dilation of the eustachian tube, many surgical option are available even as in-office procedures.
Procedures that may be considered:
- Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube
- Tube insertion in the ear
- Traditional or in-office treatment of sinusitis
- Traditional or in-office treatment of nasal obstruction
Treatment
Oklahoma Sinus Center is skilled in diagnosing and treating Eustachian tube dysfunction. While both medical and surgical treatment options are available, symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction usually resolve on their own. However, if symptoms are severe or last more than two weeks, additional treatment options should be discussed.
When should I seek a doctor’s advice?
Contact the Oklahoma Sinus Center to start your evaluation today. Talk with a specialist today to discuss your options for managing chronic sinus infection, allergy, facial pain, and associated chronic ear dysfunction.
Click here to explore these options:
Could you be suffering from Eustachian tube dysfunction?
Let Oklahoma Sinus Center help! Our team will work with you one-on-one to diagnose and treat your condition and help you breathe easy again.
To schedule an appointment, call us at 405-562-6362.
