Panama City Reporter

• Symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) include fullness in the ears, feeling like your ears are plugged, changes in hearing, tinnitus, and pain. 
• Some people are at a higher risk for ETD, including those struggling with obesity, smokers, and people with allergies. 
• If left untreated, the symptoms of ETD are likely to recur.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a disorder in which passageways in the ears are plugged up and cause uncomfortable symptoms. According to Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free, there are many things Ear, Nose and Throat doctors can do to treat ETD. 

"There are many options to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction," Dr. Blair told the Panama City Reporter. "There's always medication. First and foremost, we can treat people with steroids if it's a short-term thing, but if it's a long-term problem, we can dilate the eustachian tube with the balloon."

According to Healthline, eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between your middle ears and the upper throat. They are responsible for equalizing ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, the part of the ear behind the eardrum. The eustachian tubes are typically closed except during chewing, swallowing, or yawning. 

These passageways are small in size and can become plugged due to a variety of reasons, according to Healthline. Blocked eustachian tubes can cause symptoms, including pain, hearing difficulties, and a feeling of fullness in the ears, which is referred to as eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Depending on the cause, it may resolve on its own or through simple at-home treatment measures. ETD is a relatively common condition, though severe or recurring cases may require a visit to the doctor.

ETD can be caused by allergies, a common cold, the flu, or chronic acid reflux, according to the Cleveland Clinic. ETD frequently resolves on its own, but patients are advised to consult a physician if symptoms persist for more than two weeks. At-home remedies to address ETD include chewing gum, yawning, swallowing, or saline nasal sprays. People with ETD due to allergies can treat their symptoms with an antihistamine or other over-the-counter medications.

Dr. Matthew Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami, according to Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010 then pursued further education, completing his internship and residency at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan, with a specific focus on otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. Dr. Blair achieved board certification in 2015.