PHX Reporter

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

According to Healthline, eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between your 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.

"It may be a surprise to some people, but your ear, in fact, is a part of your sinus anatomy," Dr. John Stewart at Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told PHX Reporter. "The definition of a sinus is a mucous membrane-lined cavity with a valve that drains into the nose. Your eustachian tube is a mucous membrane-lined cavity, has a valve and connects your middle ear to your nose. Eustachian tube dysfunction can occur due to untreated chronic sinusitis and can cause symptoms such as pain, pressure and fullness in one or both ears."

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.

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 take a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz from Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.