Learn about Eustachian tubes, their role in regulating ear pressure, preventing infections, and maintaining ear health. Discover why they are essential for hearing and balance.

Many people have experienced the uncomfortable sensation of having their ears plug up during a flight. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, it has to do with the eustachian tube, a ...

“Our eustachian tubes open and close multiple times a day, but the passageway is so tiny that we don’t really notice it as long as it’s moving properly,” said Ana Kim, MD, an ...

Wolber P, Meyer MF, Knesic K, et al. Prospective study on the Eustachian tube function during Frenzel maneuver in a hypobaric/hyperbaric pressure chamber. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol . 2022;279(4 ...

Ear Barotrauma Prevention. You can prevent ear barotrauma by keeping your eustachian tubes open. Ways to do that include: Medicine. If you have a cold or allergies, take a decongestant about an ...

The Eustachian tubes may struggle to keep up with the pressure difference, especially if they are inflamed due to a cold. What should I do if my child’s ears are clogged after a flight?

The device releases small puffs of air through the nose and into the eustachian tubes. Medication. Some people take a decongestant when they fly. Decongestants come as pills, sprays, and liquid.

When your Eustachian tubes aren’t working correctly, decreased pressure inside your ear can cause your eardrum to collapse inward. Common causes of Eustachian tube dysfunction include: ear infection ...

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD COVID-19 is a viral infection that typically causes symptoms like fever, chills, cough, and loss of smell or taste. Less commonly, COVID can also affect the middle ...

The eustachian tube serves many important functions, including helping the ear to drain. When it does not work properly, fluid can accumulate behind the eardrum, causing an infection and pain.