Schedule AnAppointment
If you’ve ever had water stuck in your ear after swimming, you probably remember that “muffled” feeling quite well.
But what if your ears feel clogged with no water in sight? You could be experiencing a condition that affects nearly 5% of adults.
The eustachian tubes are located between the middle ears and the back of the nose. By opening and closing, they help equalize pressure in the ears and drain fluid that has built up.
Due to their location, the eustachian tubes can be affected by ear and nasal conditions such as:
These factors can lead to eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), a condition in which the tubes are unable to equalize pressure, causing fluid buildup and, in some cases, recurring ear infections.
Symptoms of ETD may include:
If medical therapy such as nasal sprays has not been effective in treating eustachian tube dysfunction, your physician may recommend a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic eustachian tube balloon dilation.
Dr. F.P. Jons Langford, a CEENTA otolaryngologist who practices out of our Concord office, elaborates on the procedure. “In-office eustachian tube dilation is a well-tolerated procedure that can be done in about 30 minutes in the office. The longest part of the procedure is the numbing of the nose, but the actual procedure itself takes about two minutes per side.”
During this in‑office treatment, your physician guides a small balloon through your nasal passages to the affected eustachian tube. The balloon is gently inflated inside the tube to reduce inflammation, then deflated and removed.
Eustachian tube balloon dilation has been shown to be highly effective, with studies indicating success rates of more than 75%. Most patients are able to return to their normal routine the next day, though it may take about 6-8 weeks to get the final result.
“We have seen good success with our patients who have chronic issues with eustachian tube dysfunction,” says Dr. Langford. “We have many do well with their eustachian tube issues until sick or when baro-challenged such as flying or going to the mountains or diving."
The best candidates for this procedure are patients experiencing ETD who have not found relief with medical therapy or has required ear tubes. Additional factors that may affect candidacy include:
Struggling with ear fullness or pain? CEENTA’s board‑certified ENT physicians are available to discuss eustachian tube balloon dilation at nearly 20 locations throughout the Carolinas.
To get started, schedule your same‑day ENT appointment with Dr. Langford online or through myCEENTAchart.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor.
If you've been struggling with a stuffy nose, learn more about chronic nasal obstruction with ENT specialist FP Jons Langford, MD.
Keep your eyes, ears, nose, and throat safe while skiing thanks to these tips from CEENTA.
Did you know that you can get sinus infections in the summer? Find out how this happens with a CEENTA ENT doctor.
