East Panhandle News

• Eustachian tubes are slender tubes connecting the middle ears to the upper throat.
• They play a role in balancing ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, which is situated behind the eardrum.
• If you're suffering from ear troubles, it could be a result of eustachian tube dysfunction, caused by sinusitis.

If you're dealing with ear pain, trouble hearing, or the feeling of your ears being clogged, you might be dealing with eustachian tube dysfunction. Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free said leaving ETD untreated can lead to other health complications.

"If you've ever driven in the mountains or flown on an airplane, you can probably recall that when you're going up in altitude or coming down in altitude, your ears will feel stuffy and your hearing will be down. Then, all of a sudden, your ear will pop, and you'll feel like, 'oh I can hear so much better, everything's back to normal.' Well, people who have eustachian tube dysfunction don't get that opening and they always feel like that even at regular altitude," Dr. Blair told East Panhandle News. "Over a long period of time, it can be pretty detrimental to the eardrum itsel. You can develop things like cholesteatoma or chronic infections in the ear from it."

Eustachian tubes are narrow passages that can become obstructed for various reasons, according to Healthline. When these tubes are blocked, it can result in pain, hearing challenges, and a sensation of fullness in the ears, a condition known as eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).

ETD can arise from allergies, a typical cold, influenza, or chronic acid reflux. Symptoms may intensify during altitude changes, such as on an airplane or during scuba diving, according to Cleveland Clinic. While ETD often resolves spontaneously, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks, seeking advice from a doctor is advisable. At-home remedies for addressing ETD may involve chewing gum, yawning, swallowing, or using a saline nasal spray.

Cleveland Clinic reported that in cases where at-home remedies or medications prove ineffective for addressing ETD, a physician may suggest an in-office procedure. One available option is eustachian tuboplasty, also referred to as eustachian tube balloon dilation. This relatively recent procedure entails the insertion of a small balloon through the nasal passage into the eustachian tube, followed by inflation. The balloon is maintained in an inflated state for approximately two minutes before being deflated and removed by the doctor. Typically, patients recover from this surgery within one day or so.

According to Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website, Dr. Blair completed his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry at the University of Miami. He then earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. Blair completed his residency at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan, concentrating on otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. He achieved board certification in 2015.