Can you touch your eustachian tube

When functioning properly the eustachian tube opens for a fraction of a second periodically about once every three minutes in response to swallowing or yawning. In so doing it allows air into the middle ear to replace air that has been absorbed by the middle ear lining mucous membranes or to equalize pressure changes occurring due to altitude changes.

Anything that interferes with this periodic opening and closing of the eustachian tube may result in hearing impairment or other ear symptoms. Obstruction or blockage of the eustachian tube results in a negative middle ear pressure, which will cause the ear drum to retract suck in. In adults this is usually accompanied by some ear discomfort, a fullness or pressure feeling and may result in a mild hearing impairment and ringing in the ear tinnitus.

There may be no symptoms in children. If the obstruction is prolonged, fluid may be drawn from the mucous membranes of the middle ear creating a condition we call serous otitis media fluid in the middle ear.

This occurs frequently in children in connection with an upper respiratory infection and accounts for the hearing impairment associated with this condition. Occasionally pain or middle ear fluid develops when landing in an aircraft. This is due to failure of the eustachian tube to properly equalize the middle ear air pressure and the condition is called aerotitis. It is often temporary and often can be avoided by taking precautions see following section.

On occasions just the opposite from blockage occurs: the tube remains open for prolonged periods. This is called abnormal patency of the eustachian tube, or patulous eustachian tube.

This condition is less common than serous otitis media and occurs primarily in adults. Because the tube is constantly open the patient may hear himself breathe and hears their voice reverberate.

Fullness and a clocked feeling are not uncommon. Abnormal patency of the Eustachian tube is annoying but does not produce hearing impairment. Individuals with a eustachian tube problem may have trouble equalizing middle ear pressure when flying.

When an aircraft ascends atmospheric pressure decreases, resulting in a relative increase in the middle ear air pressure. When the aircraft descends, just the opposite occurs: atmospheric pressure increases and there is a relative decrease in the middle ear pressure. Either situation may result in discomfort in the ear. Usually this discomfort is experienced during descent. To avoid middle ear problems related to flying it is best to try not to fly if you have an acute upper respiratory problem such as a cold, allergy attack, or sinus infection.

If you must fly, or you have a chronic problem with your eustachian tube problem, you may help to avoid problems with the following tips:. In children, the eustachian tube is more horizontally oriented than in adults. This allows bacteria from the nasopharynx easier passage into the middle ear space. This may cause an infection in the middle ear space and is what most people think of then they think of an ear infection.

Adults can also have acute suppurative otitis media. Generally, this happens when the Eustachian tube is blocked by an upper respiratory infection or allergies and the fluid that develops behind the ear drum becomes infected with bacteria. This infected fluid pus in the middle ear may cause severe pain as it causes the ear drum to bulge.

If examination reveals that there is considerable ear pressure a myringotomy incision of the ear drum may be necessary to relieve the pressure and drain the abscess. In many cases antibiotics by mouth will suffice. Should a myringotomy be required the ear may drain pus and blood for up to a week. Antibiotics drops are effective after myringotomy. The myringotomy typically heals within days. Antibiotic treatment usually results in normal middle ear function within three to four weeks.

During the healing period there are varying degrees of ear pressure, popping, clicking and fluctuation of hearing — with occasional shooting pains. Sometimes, after the acute infection has resolved, the patient is left with uninfected fluid in the middle ear space. This uninfected fluid is known as serous otitis media.

Serous otitis media means that there is a collection of fluid in the middle ear. It may be chronic or acute. It either drains down the eustachian tube when it finally opens or is absorbed by the mucosa of the middle ear.

Serous otitis media may persist for many years without causing any permanent damage to the middle ear mechanism. The fluid, however, increases susceptibility to recurrent bacterial infections which may damage the middle ear structures. In addition, while the fluid is in the middle ear it interferes with the transmission of sound through the middle ear causing a conductive hearing loss.

Any condition the interferes with the intermittent opening and closing of the eustachian tube can lead to serous otitis media. The causes may be congenital present at birth , due to infection or allergy, or due to blockage of the eustachian tube. The size and shape of the eustachian tube is different in children than in adults.

This accounts for the fact that serous otitis media is more common in very young children. There seems to be a hereditary component — parents of children with eustachian tube problems often have a history of otitis media in childhood. As a child matures the eustachian tube takes on a more adult shape. Serous otitis media is more common in the child with a cleft palate. This is because the muscles the move the palate are the muscles that open the eustachian tube.

The lining membrane of the middle ear and eustachian tube is the same as the membranes of the nose, sinuses, and throat. Infection in these areas results in mucous membrane swelling which may lead to obstruction. Allergic reactions in the nose and throat lead to mucous membrane swelling, which may affect the eustachian tube.

The adenoids are located in the nasopharynx in the area between the eustachian tube openings. Nasal polyps , a cleft palate, or a tumor may put someone at increased risk of developing Eustachian tube dysfunction. In rare, more severe cases, Eustachian tube dysfunction may also lead to:. Most cases of Eustachian tube dysfunction clear up in a few days with the help of over-the-counter medication and home remedies, but symptoms can last one to two weeks.

Most people feel better in a few days to a week or two. If symptoms last longer, get worse, or seem to recur, you should see a doctor.

A buildup of mucus in the middle ear causes symptoms. Symptoms are often mild and limited to a few days following a cold or flu. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine your ear canals and ear drums, and check your nasal passages and the back of your throat for signs of inflammation and mucus buildup.

Symptoms, and a recent history of cold, flu, or allergies is often enough to diagnose Eustachian tube dysfunction. If symptoms linger, recur, or get worse, your doctor may want to check for underlying problems or other conditions that could be leading to your pain, fullness, and hearing changes. Tests may include:. Pinching the nose and closing the mouth and trying to breathe out through the nose can sometimes help clear the ears if your symptoms stem from air pressure changes.

Based on the findings of the assessments above — or if symptoms persist for more than three months and medical management fails — your doctor may recommend Eustachian tube dilation. Eustachian tube dysfunction usually resolves in a few days to two weeks without treatment. You can take certain actions to open up the tubes, such as swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum.

Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The eustachian tubes are small tubes that run from the back of the upper throat to the middle ear. They are tasked with pressure regulation and fluid drainage from the ear. They are typically closed, but open during certain activities, such as chewing, swallowing, or yawning. If the tubes become clogged when they open, it can lead to eustachian tube pain.

The most common cause of eustachian tube pain is eustachian tube dysfunction. However, other conditions can also cause the pain, such as sinusitis , ear infections , and temporomandibular disorder TMD. Eustachian tube dysfunction is a condition that develops because of issues with pressure regulation in the ear.

Pressure changes can occur when your ears become clogged with fluid or mucus. Children have smaller, less rigid, and more horizontal eustachian tubes, whereas adults have more rigid and vertical ones. The eustachian tubes in adults can drain out any fluids quickly, avoiding dysfunction, unlike the eustachian tubes in children. Aside from pain in the eustachian tube, eustachian tube dysfunction typically presents with other symptoms, including:.

Eustachian tube dysfunction can develop after an upper respiratory tract infection—a viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and airways—or allergies, which can cause a buildup of fluid in the nasal cavity.

An ear infection can also lead to the development of eustachian tube dysfunction. Although rare, malignant tumors in the back of the nose or nasopharynx can obstruct the eustachian tube. For this reason, anyone with persistent eustachian tube dysfunction should see a medical professional. Sinusitis is a common infection that occurs in the sinuses. It causes the sinuses to become inflamed and blocked with fluid. There are four different types of sinusitis: acute bacterial, chronic, subacute, and recurrent acute sinusitis.

The causes of sinusitis include a cold , allergies, polyps, a deviated septum , and a compromised immune system. Common symptoms of sinusitis include:. The temporomandibular joint TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull.

There is one on both sides of the head, in front of the ears. The TMJ allows a person to open and close their jaw. When the joints are not working as they should or there is pain in the joint and muscles around it, it is referred to as TMD.

The cause of this type of condition varies from person to person, but one cause is osteoarthritis. Other common causes of TMD include:. Aside from pain in the eustachian tube, people with TMD will often experience other symptoms, including:. Eustachian tube pain has been reported in many people with TMD.

A middle ear infection occurs behind the eardrum. They are most commonly found in children, though they can develop at any age. Ear infections are caused by either bacteria or viruses that travel through the eustachian tube and into the middle ear. They typically develop following a cold or respiratory infection. The symptoms that occur in an ear infection include:. If an ear infection develops with an effusion fluid that escaped into a body cavity , fluid can become trapped in the ear and cause mild hearing loss.

Blockage in the eustachian tube can also lead to an ear infection with effusion. Middle ear infections are one of the most common causes of eustachian tube pain. A nasal obstruction occurs when there is a blockage or obstruction in the nasal passage. This type of condition is most commonly a symptom of other underlying health issues such as allergies, polyps , tumors, or nose malformations. The symptoms associated with a nasal obstruction include:.

Nasal obstruction can also lead to the symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction, which includes eustachian tube pain. Eustachian tube pain feels like a dull, pressure-like pain that may be accompanied by muffled hearing. The pain can occur in both ears or just one. When to seek treatment from a healthcare provider for eustachian tube pain depends on the cause and how frequently you feel the pain. If you experience any pain in the ear and are unsure of the cause, call a medical professional.

They can help determine the cause of the pain and develop a treatment plan. It should be noted that if the pain is severe, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Your practitioner may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat ENT specialist if the issue persists. If the pain persists for two weeks or more, is getting worse, or you have other symptoms such as a fever, sore throat, or ear discharge, see your healthcare provider. You may need a more aggressive treatment plan. Although eustachian tube dysfunction can cause temporary hearing loss , if the hearing loss becomes worse in one ear or your hearing does not return to normal once the pain and other symptoms have gotten better, see your healthcare professional.

Sinusitis can be difficult to deal with, especially if it is chronic. They can help determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan accordingly. In rarer cases, a mild case of TMD can heal on its own without medical intervention.

If you recently had a mild jaw injury or experience symptoms of TMD for seemingly no reason, you should see your healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause and available treatment options. Persistent eustachian tube pain is common in TMD, so this symptom along with the others should give you an idea that you may be suffering from the condition.

Ear infections can sometimes resolve on their own in two or three days. However, if you have a fever along with other symptoms of an ear infection, you will need to seek medical care. Other signs that your ear infection needs treatment include:.