What Is A Patulous Eustachian Tube?
Patulous Eustachian tube is a condition that has drawn a lot of interest in the news lately—singer Céline Dion had to cancel performances because of it.
However, you might be wondering what a patulous Eustachian tube is.
Symptoms
Different symptoms may indicate a patulous Eustachian tube: hearing one’s own voice or breathing echoing loudly, having a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing a buzzing sound as you breathe, or hearing clicks and rumblings in the ear.
Over time, symptoms generally increase in intensity and duration. Symptoms may become worse when practicing some physical activities, and improve when sniffling, having a respiratory infection or putting the head in certain positions (e.g. between the knees). Weight loss, pregnancy, allergies, laryngopharyngeal reflux, anxiety and autoimmune or neuromuscular disorders can all cause a patulous Eustachian tube.
What Happens in the Ear
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the throat. It mechanically blocks the sounds of a person’s voice and breathing, as well as infections and secretions. It prevents the latter two from spreading to the middle ear by draining them. It also balances the pressure on both sides of the eardrum by opening and closing.
When the Eustachian tube no longer opens and closes properly, remaining open, the sounds of your voice and breathing are no longer mechanically blocked. As a result, they can enter the middle ear cavity. This permanent opening of the Eustachian tube is known as patulous Eustachian tube. While it may be irritating, it is a minor problem. It is slightly more often bilateral—in both ears—(52%), and a little more common in women (54%).
Solutions
The ENT specialist is the professional who treats patulous Eustachian tube. In order to address the symptoms, an ENT specialist may recommend the best medical treatment if necessary. For some people, nasal irrigation with a saline solution, as well as allergy or weight control, may reduce symptoms. In most cases, no treatment is required. However, for people with persistent and very severe symptoms, a consultation with an ENT specialist is recommended. Then, the ENT specialist might refer you to an audiologist, who can assess the function of your Eustachian tube.