What are some common eustachian tube dysfunction treatments?
In most cases, treatment isn’t necessary because ETD often resolves on its own. However, you might need treatment if your symptoms linger for more than two weeks.
Eustachian tube dysfunction treatment depends on the cause and the severity of your condition. Treatments may include home remedies, medications or, in severe cases, surgery.
Home remedies
Sometimes simple home remedies can help with mild cases of eustachian tube dysfunction. To try and clear the blockage, you can:
- Chew gum.
- Yawn.
- Swallow.
- Try the Valsalva maneuver (breathing out forcefully while closing your mouth and pinching your nostrils).
- Use a saline spray to clear out nasal passages.
If you think your baby has ETD, give them a pacifier or a bottle. The sucking motion may help clear the blockage.
Medications
Over-the-counter medications can help if allergies are causing eustachian tube dysfunction. Try antihistamines (like cetirizine or diphenhydramine) to ease your symptoms. If you have discomfort, pain relievers — such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen — can help.
When an infection causes ETD, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics. They may also give you corticosteroids to help with inflammation.
Surgery
Chronic eustachian tube dysfunction may require surgery. The goal of this treatment is to bypass your eustachian tubes and address ventilation problems in your middle ears. This restores hearing issues and other symptoms. There are a few different surgical options, including:
- Myringotomy. During this procedure, your surgeon makes a small incision in your eardrum to drain the fluid from your middle ear. In adults, the incisions usually stay open long enough for the swelling in your eustachian tubes to resolve.
- Pressure equalization tubes. Sometimes surgeons place ear tubes into the eardrums once they make the incisions. These tubes provide proper middle ear ventilation for up to one year. Some surgeons recommend earplugs while swimming or bathing while ear tubes are in place. Typically, over time the tubes are pushed out and the drum heals. However, the tubes don’t always stay in place as long as they should and repeat placement may be necessary.
- Eustachian tuboplasty (eustachian tube balloon dilation). This newer procedure involves expanding your eustachian tubes with a balloon. Your surgeon uses endoscopic instruments to thread the balloon through your nasal passages into your eustachian tube. The balloon is inflated for two minutes, then the balloon is deflated and removed.
How long does it take to recover from eustachian tube dysfunction treatment?
If you’ve had surgery for eustachian tube dysfunction, your recovery time can vary depending on which type of treatment you received. People who’ve had myringotomy usually recover in about three to four weeks. If you had tubes placed, they should remain in place for about 12 to 18 months. People who receive eustachian tuboplasty generally recover in about 24 hours.
FAQs
Eustachian tube dysfunction is a condition where the tubes that connect your middle ears to your upper throat become blocked. This can lead to discomfort, hearing difficulties and a feeling of fullness in your ear. Eustachian tube dysfunction usually resolves itself in a few days.
What is the best way to fix Eustachian tube dysfunction? ›
A common course of treatment for Eustachian tube dysfunction is the use of decongestants or antihistamines. In some cases, this treatment may make the condition worse. If decongestants or antihistamines do not provide relief, contact your doctor. You may need to see an ear, nose and throat specialist for treatment.
What can be mistaken for Eustachian tube dysfunction? ›
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction - Patients can experience pain in the temporomandibular joint secondary to bruxism or clenching, resulting in otalgia (which can be mistaken for eustachian tube dysfunction)
How do you know if you have Eustachian tube dysfunction? ›
Eustachian tube dysfunction may occur when the mucosal lining of the tube is swollen, or does not open or close properly. If the tube is dysfunctional, symptoms such as muffled hearing, pain, tinnitus, reduced hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear or problems with balance may occur.
Can Eustachian tube dysfunction go away on its own? ›
Your eustachian tubes help keep your middle ear healthy. Allergies, colds or infections can affect your eustachian tube and how they function. Most of the time, eustachian tube issues go away on their own or by using home remedies like chewing gum or yawning.
How did I cured my Eustachian tube dysfunction naturally? ›
What are some common eustachian tube dysfunction treatments?
- Chew gum.
- Yawn.
- Swallow.
- Try the Valsalva maneuver (breathing out forcefully while closing your mouth and pinching your nostrils).
- Use a saline spray to clear out nasal passages.
Through this outpatient ENT surgery, we make a small incision in the eardrum and place a pressure equalization tube in it to allow fluid to escape. As a result, it not only resolves chronic earaches, but Eustachian tube problems as well.
Which antihistamine is best for eustachian tube dysfunction? ›
We prefer non-drowsy antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Xyzal so you can keep your eyes open during the day. You can look for their generic counterparts — loratadine, cetirizine, and levocetirizine — which are, once again, just as effective and cheaper.
What exercises unblock the eustachian tube? ›
Try a simple exercise to help open blocked tubes. Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose. Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a "pop" when the tubes open.
How can I force my eustachian tube to open? ›
Another way to do it is to get you to “pop” your ears on a more regular basis, about 20 times per day, often by closing your nostrils with your hand and blowing gently against that pressure. The pressure should help force the Eustachian tube to open a bit, draining pressure and any fluid that's in that space.
The treatment for ETD is aimed at opening up the eustachian tube in the back of the nose. The main treatment is using a steroid nasal spray to help shrink the tissue where the ear drains. Nasal steroid (Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort) – 2 sprays into each nostril twice daily.
How does a doctor check your eustachian tube? ›
During the test, a probe is placed in the ear and air pressure is fluctuated as the movement of the tympanic membrane is measured 3 times. The first tympanogram is completed normally. The patient is asked to swallow or take a sip of water and then the second measure is completed.
How do you massage fluid out of an eustachian tube? ›
Perform a eustachian tube massage by running your finger from the bony bump behind your ear down the groove between your earlobe and your jaw, all the way down to your collarbone. If your eustachian tubes are blocked, try the valsalva maneuver: hold your nose shut and close your mouth.
What is the success rate of Eustachian tube dysfunction treatment? ›
Long-Term Results of Eustachian Tube Dilation
Clinical studies have demonstrated a 99.7% technical success rate in dilated eustachian tubes, with improved quality of life measures compared to medical management alone for patients with tube dysfunction.
Does steam help Eustachian tube dysfunction? ›
In most cases, Eustachian tube dysfunction can be managed at home. There are several different things you can try. Steam inhalation can ease symptoms by getting more warm air into your nose and subsequently your Eustachian tubes. There are also two different devices you can try: the Otovent® and the Ear Popper®.
How do you unblock a chronic eustachian tube? ›
Nasal decongestants may be used if there is some blockage. This is available over the counter. GP may prescribe steroid nasal sprays for persistent inflammation. Steam inhalations with menthol, eucalyptus, or other oils in boiling water in the sink with a towel over the head or any other kind of inhalation device.
How do you permanently unblock an eustachian tube? ›
In some cases, people need surgery for a blocked eustachian tube. The doctor makes a small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid and to make the pressure the same inside and outside the ear. Sometimes the doctor will put a small tube in the eardrum. The tube usually will fall out over time.
What is the best decongestant for Eustachian tube dysfunction? ›
Treatment of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Usually first-line treatment for the is condition is use of decongestants like Afrin or Sudafed for up to 3 days only, antihsitamines, and valsalva maneuvers to pop your ears.
