In most cases, treatment isn’t necessary because ETD often resolves on its own. However, you might need treatment if your symptoms linger for more than two weeks.

Try the Valsalva maneuver (breathing out forcefully while closing your mouth and pinching your nostrils). The Eustachian Tube (ET) is the body’s only mechanism for equalizing pressure and ventilating the space behind the eardrum (Middle Ear).The ET normally opens when you swallow or yawn.When functioning normally the ET keeps the middle ear ventilated and the pressure equalized. When the ET doesn’t function normally – and the middle ear isn’t ventilated properly – the middle ear becomes a closed space with unbalanced pressure.An unbalanced middle ear forces pressure on the eardrum which is not only uncomfortable, but also affects your hearing.This closed space also cannot drain properly – resulting in fluid build up behind the eardrum. ​ When you mix a dark, moist, unbalanced middle ear space with the common cold or allergies – you have the perfect breeding ground for an infection. ​ The EarPopper helps avoid and even eliminate an unbalanced middle ear.The EarPopper opens the ET with air.It is fast, simple and completely safe as proven in numerous clinical studies – including the latest study published in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal and funded by the National Institutes of Health. ​ The EarPopper has been clinically proven to relieve negative ear pressure.Negative ear pressure can cause: ​ This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. To return faulty items see our Returning Faulty Items policy.Eustachian tube dysfunction treatment depends on the cause and the severity of your condition. Treatments may include home remedies, medications or, in severe cases, surgery. Home remedies Myringotomy. During this procedure, your surgeon makes a small incision in your eardrum to drain the fluid from your middle ear. In adults, the incisions usually stay open long enough for the swelling in your eustachian tubes to resolve.

Hold the nose piece firming against nostril opening to create a tight seal while using your other hand to plug the other nostril closed. Over-the-counter medications can help if allergies are causing eustachian tube dysfunction. Try antihistamines (like cetirizine or diphenhydramine) to ease your symptoms. If you have discomfort, pain relievers — such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen — can help. Obstructive ETD: Your eustachian tubes don’t open as they should. As a result, fluid accumulates and causes ear pain or pressure. The device typically works by creating a positive pressure in the nasal cavity or mouth, which can help open the Eustachian tube and equalize the pressure on either side of the eardrum. This can relieve symptoms such as ear pain, fullness or pressure, and hearing loss or tinnitus. If you’re treating Middle Ear Fluid, you will need to do this treatment anywhere between seven to eleven weeks. If you are using this device to relieve pressure from colds, allergies, altitude changes, or Eustachian tube dysfunction – use it on a “as per needed basis”.This handheld device uses a small motor to deliver a controlled amount of air pressure to the inner ear. It is designed to be used with the mouth closed and can help to equalize the pressure on either side of the eardrum. EarDoc The best way to prevent a pressure buildup in the ears depends on the cause. If a person knows that they are about to participate in an activity with an increase or decrease in external pressure, they can prepare by treating the problem before it begins. When you yawn or swallow, the Eustachian Tube normally opens. Under healthy conditions, the Eustachian Tube keeps the middle ear’s pressure equal and ventilated. But when things are not working properly, that is when an unbalance occurs in the middle ear and forces pressure on the eardrum causing discomfort with some of the symptoms we mentioned. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Eustachian tuboplasty (eustachian tube balloon dilation). This newer procedure involves expanding your eustachian tubes with a balloon. Your surgeon uses endoscopic instruments to thread the balloon through your nasal passages into your eustachian tube. The balloon is inflated for two minutes, then the balloon is deflated and removed.

Overall, my wife is very happy with her results. Her complaints have stopped although she still uses it every few nights but her ears are doing much better than before the EarPopper came into the picture. I have also been using the device for the past three days because I caught a cold. For me, I would say each time I use the device about 85% of the pressure gets released instantly. On one occasion, I happened to yawn right after using the device and my ears seemed to clear up 100%. It felt fantastic. Tseng, W.-S., et al. (2018). Analysis of factors related to failure in the pressure test: A six-year experience in Taiwan [Abstract]. Traveling: Fluctuations in altitude during flights or journeys through tunnels can lead to air pressure changes, causing ears to pop. To pop your ears essentially means opening the Eustachian tubes, which is done by engaging the muscles around the tubes themselves.If your ears won't pop, here's what to do here are some common methods that help with ear popping include:

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If balloon dilatation isn’t successful, your doctor may then recommend grommet surgery. This is a more invasive procedure where a thin, hollow plastic tube is inserted into your middle ear through your eardrum. This completely bypasses your Eustachian tube.

For people without severe problems, a pharmacy will sell over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays and decongestants that can release pressure in the ears. One example is oral pseudoephedrine. Patulous ETD: Your eustachian tubes stay open all of the time. This can cause sound to travel from your nasal cavity to your ears and distort the sound of your voice. This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. It is effortless to use. After inserting 2 AA batteries, slide the speed regulator up and adjust the vibration speed at your convenience. Then place it behind the affected ear bone. These waves travel to the middle ear and Eustachian tubes and relax the built-up air pressure and fluids. This results in a decrease of infection and pain, simultaneously giving comfort to the healing ear. After its usage, you can slide down the speed regulator, and the device will stop. This device is revolutionary as it lessens the chances of undergoing ear surgery. It also controls the usage of antibiotic medicines and pain killer drugs.

Pharmacy product

Another example is in hyperbaric chambers, where people undergo a form of oxygen therapy. Here, doctors minimize the chances of pressure building up in the ears by controlling the compression rate and consistency of the pressure within the chamber. Pressure equalization tubes. Sometimes surgeons place ear tubes into the eardrums once they make the incisions. These tubes provide proper middle ear ventilation for up to one year. Some surgeons recommend earplugs while swimming or bathing while ear tubes are in place. Typically, over time the tubes are pushed out and the drum heals. However, the tubes don’t always stay in place as long as they should and repeat placement may be necessary.