Swelling from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can keep the eustachian tubes from opening. This leads to pressure changes. Fluid may collect in the middle ear. The pressure and fluid can cause pain.
In most cases, the fluid clears up within a few months without treatment. You may need more tests if the fluid does not clear up after 3 months.
Causes of blocked eustachian tubes
Sinus infections, colds, and allergies can cause swelling in the eustachian tubes. This stops the tubes from opening, which can lead to fluid buildup in the ear. This may cause ear pain, a plugged feeling, or an ear infection.
A myringotomy is a procedure to create a hole in the ear drum to allow fluid that is trapped in the middle ear to drain out. The fluid may be blood, pus and/or water. In many cases, a small tube is inserted into the hole in the ear drum to help maintain drainage.
Your doctor may use a variety of techniques to diagnose patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction while viewing your ear drum (tympanic membrane). Your doctor may ask you to breathe deeply and swallow to see how the ear drum responds. Your doctor may also measure the pressure inside your ear using specialized tools.
Blocked eustachian tubes can cause several symptoms. For example, your ears may hurt or feel full. You may have ringing or popping noises in your ears. Or you may have hearing problems or feel a little dizzy.
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.
Eustachian tube dysfunction usually resolves in a few days to two weeks without treatment. You can take certain actions to open up the tubes, such as swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum.
Blocked eustachian tubes can be relieved by nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets, which reduce inflammation and congestion. Recurrent eustachian tube dysfunction requires the surgical placement of tubes in the eardrum, which allows pressure to equalize in the middle ear.
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. As the eardrum heals, the tubes eventually fall out on their own.
Middle ear infections (otitis media) will usually clear up within a few days, with or without treatment. But antibiotics can speed up recovery in children under two years of age who have an infection in both ears. They may also help if the infected ears are leaking fluid.
If the fluid does not go away after a certain amount of time and treatment, your child may need ear tubes. These small tubes are inserted through the ear drum. They allow the doctor to suction out the fluid behind the ear. They also allow air to get into the middle ear, which helps prevent fluid build-up.
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.
Pop Your Ears by Holding Your Nose
Then close your mouth and nostrils with your fingers. Lightly blow out against the pressure. This should make your ears pop. The pressure you're blowing against forces your Eustachian tubes open a little which drains pressure and fluid stuck in your ear.
Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient found in oral decongestants. Oral decongestants are used in the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and can help decrease peritubal edema provoked by allergies or URI. Oxymetazoline is an ingredient found in topical decongestants.
Chronic ETD is unlikely to go away on its own and must be treated by a healthcare professional. Allergies, illnesses and infections that cause inflammation may lead to ETD. Certain lifestyle factors put one at a higher risk for developing this condition.
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.
Fluticasone nasal spray is available over the counter and is a nasal steroid spray. It is frequently recommended or prescribed for chronic eustachian tube dysfunction.
Warm Compress
This can help to loosen congestion, loosen fluid in the ear, and ease any ear discomfort. Creating a warm compress is simple. Just soak a washcloth in warm water, wring out excess water, fold it, and place it on the affected ear for 10 to 15 minutes.
When your sinuses are blocked, or irritated, your Eustachian tubes can become blocked as well. This is why sinus medication can help you clear your ears. Antihistamines (Chlophenarimine, Entex, ternafdine (Seldane) will help. Also, decongestants as discussed above and nasal steroids can help.