Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Treatment in Carlsbad, CA
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
How Do You Fix Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
Children sometimes require tubes to be placed in the eardrums until they develop normal eustachian tube function. This allows the middle ear pressure to equalize through the eardrum and prevent fluid from accumulating in the middle ear. Fortunately, most will outgrow the problem. However, eustachian tube problems can persist into adulthood, or begin in adulthood. Typically this is related to swelling in the nose that makes it difficult for the eustachian tube to open properly.
Treatment of eustachian tube problems is thus often directed at the nose. Most patients will benefit from salt water rinses in the nose, using a nasal steroid spray, and practicing “popping” the ears using the pinched nose Valsalva technique described above. If there are problems with nasal allergies, these should be addressed. If there is a concern for sinus infection, antibiotics may be prescribed and a CT scan may be ordered. A nasal endoscopy is also frequently performed in our office in which a small flexible camera is gently passed through the nose to inspect the lining of the nose and the eustachian tube openings. Adults may also have tubes placed in the eardrums if they are having persistent symptoms related to eustachian tube dysfunction.
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