Pinellas Times

• 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. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free, ETD and sinus issues are often related. 

"The Eustachian tube lies at the back of the nose, so it's closely related to the sinuses. You can have nasal congestion, allergy problems, swelling, and pressure that can drain and affect the Eustachian tube opening," Dr. Pate told the Pinellas Times. "Many of my patients who have sinus and allergy problems also have ear issues, and fullness is a huge complaint. The close relationship and anatomy makes people more susceptible."

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.

Dr. Mariah Pate, a certified otolaryngologist, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida, according to Tampa Bay Breathe Free's website. She earned her medical degree from Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, finishing in the top 5% of her class. Dr. Pate completed her otolaryngology internship and residency at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.