PHX Reporter

• Eustachian tubes are slender tubes connecting the middle ears to the upper throat.
• They play a role in balancing ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, which is situated behind the eardrum.
• If you're suffering from ear troubles, it could be a result of eustachian tube dysfunction, caused by sinusitis.

If you're dealing with ear pain, trouble hearing, or the feeling of your ears being clogged, you might be dealing with eustachian tube dysfunction. Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free said that this could, in many cases, be a result of untreated sinusitis.

"It may be a surprise to some people, but your ear, in fact, is a part of your sinus anatomy," Dr. Stewart 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."

Eustachian tubes are narrow passages that can become obstructed for various reasons, according to Healthline. When these tubes are blocked, it can result in pain, hearing challenges, and a sensation of fullness in the ears, a condition known as eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).

ETD can arise from allergies, a typical cold, influenza, or chronic acid reflux. Symptoms may intensify during altitude changes, such as on an airplane or during scuba diving, according to Cleveland Clinic. While ETD often resolves spontaneously, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks, seeking advice from a doctor is advisable. At-home remedies for addressing ETD may involve chewing gum, yawning, swallowing, or using a saline nasal spray.

Cleveland Clinic reported that in cases where at-home remedies or medications prove ineffective for addressing ETD, a physician may suggest an in office procedure. One available option is eustachian tuboplasty, also referred to as eustachian tube balloon dilation. This relatively recent procedure entails the insertion of a small balloon through the nasal passage into the eustachian tube, followed by inflation. The balloon is maintained in an inflated state for approximately two minutes before being deflated and removed by the doctor. Typically, patients recover from this surgery within one day or so.

Dr. Stewart graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors, earning his bachelor's degree in biology from Grand Canyon University, according to Arizona Breathe Free's website. He went on to achieve his medical degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training in otorhinolaryngology/facial and surgery at the Freeman Hospital & Health System in Joplin, Missouri. Following his residency, Stewart pursued further specialization in neurotology and skull base surgery through a fellowship, working under the guidance of Dr. Michael Paparella and Dr. Hamed Sajjadi.