Maryland State Wire

• Eustachian tubes are connected to the sinuses.
• Symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) include ear pain, hearing difficulties and a feeling of fullness in the ears.
• Treatment options for ETD include antihistamines, decongestants and balloon dilation.

According to Healthline, eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between the 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 usually closed except during chewing, swallowing or yawning.

"The eustachian tube is a part of our anatomy that goes from the back of the nose to the middle ear, so it has the same mucosal tissue lining as our paranasal sinuses," Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Allergy & Sinus Centers told Maryland State Wire. "So they have the same pathophysiology, the same things that cause inflammation and swelling of the sinuses caused this -- the swelling and dysfunction of the eustachian tube. The point of the eustachian tube is to allow you to breathe through your mouth and nose so you can equalize when you're at elevation, diving in the water, at low barometric pressure or flying on an airplane."

The eustachian tube passageways are small in size and can get plugged for a variety of reasons. Blocked eustachian tubes can cause pain, hearing difficulties and a feeling of fullness in the ears. Such a phenomenon is referred to as eustachian tube dysfunction. ETD is a relatively common condition. Depending on the cause, it may resolve on its own or through simple at-home treatment measures, such as chewing gum, yawning or using a saline nasal spray. Severe or recurring cases, however, may require a visit to the doctor.

"Some people typically, with eustachian tube dysfunction, either get recurrent infections or constantly feel like they're underwater and they can't hear or they have pressure in their ears," Oberman said. "I have some patients who literally stopped traveling because they can't tolerate the barometric pressure changes."

One possible treatment for ETD is balloon dilation, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This procedure is minimally invasive and relatively new. A study of 126 children who underwent balloon dilation to treat ETD found that there were no reported complications, and symptoms improved in 80% of patients.

Readers experiencing sinus issues are invited to take a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz from Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.