ETD is a condition where the eustachian tube is not able to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the environment. Adult ETD accounts for over 2 million healthcare visits annually.
The condition may be short lived and can occur with upper respiratory tract infections. However, in many patients, ETD does not resolve quickly and patients may suffer from chronic ear infections and other long term disorders of the ear.
Symptoms include muffled hearing, ringing, pain and hearing loss.
Decongestants, antihistamines, or corticosteroid sprays are often prescribed for treatment. These help control inflammation in the nose and throat that can cause blockage of the eustachian tubes and prevent them from functioning normally.
The implantation of ear tubes creates an alternative route for ventilation of the middle ear but doesn’t address the underlying cause of the ETD and may be associated with complications such as infection or damage to the ear drum. Tubes are usually placed in the office as an adult or the operating room for children. Ear tubes are usually temporary and fall out on their own. These may need replacement in the future after they fall out if the issues return.
ETBD is a minimally invasive treatment where a balloon is threaded through your nasal passages and then into your eustachian tube. This can be done in the office or operating room under anesthesia. The balloon is then inflated for between one and two minutes, then deflated to remove it. In many cases this can have long-term improvement and may even be a permanent solution to eustachian tube dysfunction in the right patients.
Schedule an appointment with one of our specialists and get started on better hearing.