The eustachian tubes are small passages that lead from the middle ear to the back of the throat. The eustachian tubes help normalize pressure inside the ear by opening whenever your child swallows, yawns or sneezes. When a eustachian tube gets clogged, it’s called eustachian tube dysfunction.
Children are more likely to have eustachian tube dysfunction than adults because their eustachian tubes are shorter and straighter. This allows germs to reach the middle ear and for fluid to build up there.
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What are the signs and symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction?
Symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction may include:
- A feeling of fullness in the ears
- Muffled sounds
- Pain in the ear
- A clicking or popping feeling inside the ear
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Problems with balance
What causes eustachian tube dysfunction?
Eustachian tube dysfunction happens when the tube becomes swollen and fluid backs up inside it. This can happen because of a cold or flu, allergies an infection.
How is eustachian tube dysfunction treated?
In many cases, eustachian tube dysfunction gets better without any treatment. Chewing gum, swallowing or yawning may help open.
If these exercises don’t work, treatments may include:
- A decongestant to reduce swelling
- An antihistamine or steroid nasal spray
- Cutting a tiny hole in the eardrum to drain the fluid out of the middle ear
- Placing ear tubes in the ear drum to balance the pressure in the middle ear space.
- Using a long tube (called a catheter) to place a small balloon up the nose and into the eustachian tube where it is inflated to open a pathway in the tube
Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for eustachian tube dysfunction.