The Eustachian tube also drains mucus from the middle ear. Upper respiratory tract infections or allergies can cause the Eustachian tube, or the membranes surrounding its opening to become swollen, trapping fluid, which serves as a growth medium for bacteria, causing ear infections. This swelling can be reduced through the use of nasal sprays.Įar infections are more common in children because the tube is horizontal and shorter, making bacterial entry easier, and it also has a smaller diameter, making the movement of fluid more difficult. In addition, children’s developing immune systems, and poor hygiene habits make them more prone to upper respiratory infections. When this happens, humans hear a small popping sound, an event familiar to aircraft passengers, scuba divers, or drivers in mountainous regions Eustachian tube function – mucus drainage Various methods of ear clearing such as yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum, may be used intentionally to open the tube and equalize pressures. Pressure differences cause temporary conductive hearing loss by decreased motion of the tympanic membrane and ossicles of the ear. Under normal circumstances, the human Eustachian tube is closed, but it can open to let a small amount of air through to prevent damage by equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere. Some modern medical books call this the pharyngotympanic tube Eustachian tube functions – pressure equalization It is named after the sixteenth-century anatomist Bartolomeo Eustachi. In adult humans the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long. Try the exercise where you gently blow while holding your nose shut.The Eustachian tube, also auditory tube or pharyngotympanic tube is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear. When you're in an airplane, you can chew gum, yawn, or drink liquids during takeoff and landing. ![]() If you have allergies, talk to your doctor about how to treat them so your sinuses stay clear and your eustachian tubes stay open. The tube usually will fall out over time. Sometimes the doctor will put a small tube in the eardrum. The doctor makes a small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid and to make the pressure the same inside and outside the ear. In some cases, people need surgery for a blocked eustachian tube. You need to take the full course of antibiotics. ![]() Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. If you have an ear infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If you have allergies, the doctor may prescribe a steroid medicine that you spray into your nose. For adults, decongestants that you take by mouth or spray into your nose may be helpful. How are blocked eustachian tubes treated?īlocked eustachian tubes often get better on their own. The doctor also may check how well you hear. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms. Or you may have hearing problems or feel a little dizzy. You may have ringing or popping noises in your ears. For example, your ears may hurt or feel full. What are the symptoms?īlocked eustachian tubes can cause several symptoms. Young children have a high risk of ear infections, because their eustachian tubes are shorter and more easily blocked than the tubes in older children and adults. Fluid in the ear can lead to an infection (acute otitis media). You also can have ear pain from changes in pressure while you are flying in an airplane, driving up or down mountains, or scuba diving. Swelling from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can keep the eustachian tubes from opening. ![]() ![]() This blockage causes ear pain and sometimes trouble hearing. The pressure outside the ear gets too high. Sometimes fluid or negative pressure gets stuck in the middle ear. When you swallow or yawn, the tubes open briefly to let air in to make the pressure in the middle ears equal to the pressure outside of the ears. They also keep air pressure in the ears at the right level. The eustachian (say "you-STAY-shee-un") tubes connect the middle ears to the back of the throat. Condition Basics What are blocked eustachian tubes?
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