Why Do Your Ears Keep Feeling Clogged?
Understanding Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

What Is ETD?

The eustachian tubes are tubes on each side of the ears that connect the middle ear to the back of the upper throat. The responsibilities of these tubes include equalizing air pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear. During normal function, these tubes open and close when yawning, chewing, or swallowing.

However, these tubes can sometimes become blocked, failing to open and close as they should, meaning that they fail to equalize pressure and drain fluid. This condition is called eustachian tube dysfunction or ETD.

What Are the Common Symptoms of ETD?

ETD symptoms can vary per individual, but common signs to look out for include:

• Muffled hearing
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
• Ear pain or discomfort
• Hearing difficulty or hearing loss
• A popping or clicking sound in the ear
• Tinnitus, or a ringing in the ear
• Dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues

ETD symptoms may worsen with altitude changes, such as during plane rides, elevation changes, and driving through mountains.

While these symptoms can be associated with ETD, they do not mean an ETD diagnosis. A consultation with an ENT care provider can help assess your symptoms and determine if ETD or some other underlying medical condition is contributing to your symptoms.

What Causes ETD?

ETD typically occurs from inflammation that can potentially block the eustachian tubes. This inflammation may result from different factors, including:

• Allergies
• Sinusitis
• The flu
• The common cold and other viral respiratory conditions
• Chronic acid reflux (GERD)

Why Does ETD Make the Ears Feel Clogged?

ETD can make the ears feel clogged because the eustachian tubes are unable to equalize ear pressure in the middle ear. Poor pressure equalization can create an imbalance in the air pressure in the ear and the external environment.

This pressure imbalance can cause a plugged, clogged, or full sensation in the ears. Some people may experience

• Ear pressure, pain, and discomfort
• A popping or clicking sound in the clogged ear
• Muffled hearing

When Clogged Ears May Not Be Due to ETD

Clogged ears don’t always point to ETD. Several other factors may contribute to the feeling of fullness, pressure, or discomfort in the ears, including:

• Earwax buildup
• Fluid buildup in the middle ear
• Ear infections
• Ear barotrauma
• Temporomandibular disorders

How Is ETD Diagnosed?

ETD may be diagnosed through a consultation with a healthcare provider. During the consultation, they will ask about your symptoms and their severity, and how long you’ve been experiencing them. The assessment will also involve a physician’s examination of your nasal passages, ear canals, eardrums, and the back of the throat.

Depending on initial findings, your healthcare provider may conduct a few more tests, including hearing evaluations and tympanometry, which can check eardrum and middle ear functions.

How Is ETD Treated?

Some cases of ETD can go away on their own, so treatment isn’t always necessary, particularly for temporary ETD resulting from altitude changes.

ETD treatment varies, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the potential underlying cause. Treatment options may include:

Home remedies

Some mild or temporary ETD cases may find relief from some home remedies and techniques to help clear the blockage:

• Yawn
• Swallow
  Chew gum
• Saline nasal sprays to clear out the nasal passages
• A gentle Valsalva maneuver may help some patients equalize ear pressure. This involves closing the mouth, pinching the nostrils, and gently attempting to exhale. Stop if it causes pain or significant discomfort.

Medications

Some medications may also help with symptom management:

• Decongestants
• Antihistamines
• Saline nasal sprays
• Over-the-counter pain relievers

Some decongestants may not be appropriate for everyone and should be discussed with a healthcare provider. 

Surgery

For appropriately selected patients with persistent obstructive ETD that does not improve with conservative or medical management, an ENT may discuss procedural treatment options:

• Myringotomy: During a myringotomy procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision in your eardrum to drain fluid buildup in the middle ear. The incision usually stays open long enough for the swelling to resolve.
• Ear tubes: During a myringotomy procedure, your surgeon may place ear tubes into the incisions, providing ear ventilation for up to one year post-procedure. The tubes typically fall out over time, and the eardrums will naturally heal.
• Eustachian tuboplasty or eustachian tube balloon dilation: This procedure uses a balloon inserted into the eustachian tube using nasal endoscopy. It’s designed to open or widen the blocked tubes in appropriately selected patients.

When Is It Time to Seek Professional Medical Help for ETD?

Consider seeing a healthcare provider for ETD if you are experiencing:

• Symptoms that do not improve or persist despite home remedies and standard treatments
• Symptoms that persist for longer than two weeks
• Symptoms that keep coming back
• Severe ear pain or pressure that interferes with daily routines, activities, sleep, and comfort

Moreover, seek urgent medical care for severe or “red flag” symptoms, such as:

• Sudden or complete hearing loss
• Oozing, blood, fluid, or drainage from the ear
• Severe pain behind or around the ear
• High fever
• Severe dizziness or vertigo

Conclusion: Understanding Clogged Ears and When It Might Be ETD

Augusta Breathe Free provides ear, nose, and throat care services in Augusta, GA, and the surrounding neighborhoods. If you are experiencing a persistent, chronic, or worsening feeling of fullness, pressure, or discomfort in the ears, contact our team to find out more about what might be contributing to clogged ears and when ETD might be the underlying cause.