Blocked Eustachian Tubes | Kaiser Permanente (2024)

FAQs

Blocked Eustachian Tubes | Kaiser Permanente? ›

Blocked eustachian tubes often get better on their own. For adults, decongestants that you take by mouth or spray into your nose may be helpful. If you have allergies, the doctor may prescribe a steroid medicine that you spray into your nose. Follow the instructions carefully.

You need to take the full course of antibiotics. In some cases, people need surgery for a blocked eustachian tube. The doctor makes a small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid and to make the pressure the same inside and outside the ear. Sometimes the doctor will put a small tube in the eardrum.

Eustachian tube dysfunction usually goes away in one to two weeks. People with chronic eustachian tube dysfunction may have lingering symptoms for weeks, months or even years.

A catheter is used to insert a small balloon through the nose to open a blocked Eustachian tube. Inserting a small, balloon-like device in a blocked eustachian tube can bring relief to children and adults who suffer from chronic eustachian tube dysfunction.

The treatment for ETD is aimed at opening up the eustachian tube in the back of the nose. The main treatment is using a steroid nasal spray to help shrink the tissue where the ear drains. Nasal steroid (Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort) – 2 sprays into each nostril twice daily.

Perform a eustachian tube massage by running your finger from the bony bump behind your ear down the groove between your earlobe and your jaw, all the way down to your collarbone. If your eustachian tubes are blocked, try the valsalva maneuver: hold your nose shut and close your mouth.

You Can Try Putting Hydrogen Peroxide Drops into Your Ear

You might need to repeat this several times a day for a couple of days, but ultimately, the blockage should clear.

Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms

Symptoms are often mild and limited to a few days following a cold or flu. If symptoms last more than two weeks, recur frequently, or are severe, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Frequently people report having had a cold that got better, but left them with a blocked ear (or ears). It usually gets better in a week or two, but can last for months afterwards. Swellings at the back of the nose (the nasopharynx) can cause the Eustachian tubes to become blocked.

Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation can provide long-term relief; however, patients still need to continue addressing any underlying conditions.

Can a Dr see a blocked eustachian tube? ›

Diagnosing Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Over time, negative pressure can build up in the ear, causing pain, ear fullness and muffled hearing. When this occurs, sometimes your doctor can see the ear drum (tympanic membrane) change shape due to this pressure and become concave.

You can do exercises to open up the tubes. This includes swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum. You can help relieve the “full ear” feeling by taking a deep breath, pinching your nostrils closed, and “blowing” with your mouth shut.

Afrin (oxymetazoline) and 4-Way (phenylephrine nasal) are among the most common and effective topical decongestants.

Treatment of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Usually first-line treatment for the is condition is use of decongestants like Afrin or Sudafed for up to 3 days only, antihsitamines, and valsalva maneuvers to pop your ears.

Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and hay fever and other respiratory allergies. It is also used to relieve ear congestion caused by ear inflammation or infection.

Treatment of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Usually first-line treatment for the is condition is use of decongestants like Afrin or Sudafed for up to 3 days only, antihsitamines, and valsalva maneuvers to pop your ears.