PHX Reporter

• Symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) include fullness in the ears, feeling like your ears are plugged, changes in hearing, tinnitus, and pain. 
• Some people are at a higher risk for ETD, including those struggling with obesity, smokers, and people with allergies. 
• If left untreated, the symptoms of ETD are likely to recur.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a disorder in which passageways in the ears are plugged up and cause uncomfortable symptoms. According to Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free, the eustachian tube is a key part of a person’s sinuses, and ETD is a serious condition. 

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

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 typically closed except during chewing, swallowing, or yawning. 

These passageways are small in size and can become plugged due to a variety of reasons, according to Healthline. Blocked eustachian tubes can cause symptoms, including pain, hearing difficulties, and a feeling of fullness in the ears, which is referred to as eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Depending on the cause, it may resolve on its own or through simple at-home treatment measures. ETD is a relatively common condition, though severe or recurring cases may require a visit to the doctor.

ETD can be caused by allergies, a common cold, the flu, or chronic acid reflux, according to the Cleveland Clinic. ETD frequently resolves on its own, but patients are advised to consult a physician if symptoms persist for more than two weeks. At-home remedies to address ETD include chewing gum, yawning, swallowing, or saline nasal sprays. People with ETD due to allergies can treat their symptoms with an antihistamine or other over-the-counter medications.

If at-home remedies or medications are ineffective, a doctor might recommend surgical treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, one option is eustachian tuboplasty, also known as eustachian tube balloon dilation. The procedure is relatively new and involves 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 being deflated and removed. Recovery time is minimal, and patients typically recover within 24 hours.

According to Arizona Breathe Free's website, Dr. John Stewart earned his bachelor's degree in biology, graduating with summa cum laude honors, from Grand Canyon University. He went to medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training in otorhinolaryngology/facial plastic surgery at the Freeman Hospital & Health System in Joplin, Missouri.