Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to Seek CareDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When to Seek Care
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Treatment for eustachian tube pain depends on the underlying cause. In most cases, eustachian tube pain is not cause for serious concern. But if the pain is persistent or particularly severe, it’s best to call a healthcare provider.
This article explains the causes of eustachian tube pain and the symptoms that may come with it. It also covers how those causes may be treated.
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The most common cause of eustachian tube pain is eustachian tube dysfunction. However, other conditions can also cause pain, such assinusitis,ear infections, andtemporomandibulardisorder(TMD).
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) 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.
The condition is common in children, affecting close to 40% of children at some point. In adults, eustachian tube dysfunction occurs in roughly 1% of the population.This is because a child’s and an adult’s eustachian tubes are different.
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
Sinusitis is a common infection that occurs in the sinuses. It’s estimated that 31 million Americans have the condition.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. Although eustachian tube pain can develop in any type of sinusitis, the one that’s most typically associated with eustachian ear pain is chronic sinusitis.
The causes of sinusitis include acold, allergies, polyps, adeviated septum, and a compromised immune system.
Common symptoms of sinusitis include:
Temporomandibular Disorder
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 asTMD. It is estimated that up to 12% of the population will have TMD at some point in their lives.
The cause of this type of condition varies from person to person, but one cause isosteoarthritis.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.
Middle Ear Infections
A middle ear infection occurs behind theeardrum. They are most commonly found in children, though they can develop at any age.
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.
Fluid in the Ear and Its Causes
Nasal Obstruction
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.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
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, or if the pain is severe, call or see a healthcare provider. You should also contact a provider if you have eustachian tube pain in addition to:
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.
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Typically, if fullness, pain, and pressure changes are present, a medical professional will likely determine that ETD is to blame for the eustachian tube pain.
They may also perform other clinical assessments, including:
The physical exam will be performed using anendoscope, a small optical instrument that has a light on it. This will help determine what part of the sinuses are affected, and if there is anything in the nose that’s causing it, such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or a tumor.
Some people with sinusitis may need to undergo lab tests. These could include blood tests, allergy tests, and a culture of nasal drainage. They may also need aCT scan.
Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancers
If your provider is unsure about the cause of the symptoms following a physical exam, imaging tests may be performed, including:
To check for fluid in the ear, your healthcare provider will use two methods. The first is to blow air into your eardrum to see how well your eardrum moves. If the eardrum doesn’t move well, there may be fluid behind it. The second is an air pressure test called tympanometry. Your healthcare provider will also look at your throat and nasal passages.
If hearing loss is suspected, your healthcare provider will refer you to an audiologist, who can conduct hearing tests.
To diagnose nasal obstruction, your healthcare provider will do a nasal exam that could include X-rays, CT scans, endoscopes, and other imaging tests. If the nasal obstruction is thought to be a result of allergies, they will also perform an allergy test.
You can treat eustachian tube pain at home, but some cases may require medical treatment. It all comes down to what the underlying cause is.
For some, the pain may go away on its own in a short time, whereas others will require other forms of treatment such as medications or surgical intervention.
Home Remedies
In the case of TMD, cold packs or heating pads may help reduce the pain. Jawexerciseshave also been shown to be effective at relieving pain associated with the condition.
Other exercises that can help relieve eustachian tube pain include:
Note that nasal obstructions cannot be treated at home.
How to Make Your Ears Pop When You’ve Tried Everything
Medications
Medications can help alleviate the eustachian tube pain associated with sinusitis, eustachian tube dysfunction, an ear infection, or TMD.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help with blockages in the ear.Decongestantscan also relieve some of the mucus that has built up. You will need antibiotics for an ear infection.
You can treat eustachian tube pain associated with TMD with some OTC medications such as pain relievers ormuscle relaxers. In some cases,antidepressantsmay help manage the symptoms of TMD. If the pain is severe, asteroid shotto the affected joint will help ease swelling and pain.
Sinusitis:Keep allergies at bay with daily medications or make sure your home is allergen-free, wash your hands regularly, and keep the inside of your nose moist withnasal sprays.
Temporomandibular disorder:Research suggests that preventive techniques can reduce the risk of TMD, such as practicing jaw relaxation techniques and avoiding excessive use of chewing gum.
Ear Candles and Eustachian Tube PainEar candlesare hollowed-out fabric cones wrapped in wax. Some people claim that burning them at one end while the other is inside the ear can help clear out earwax and debris. There is no proof to back up these claims, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery has strongly cautioned against using ear candles for this purpose.
Ear Candles and Eustachian Tube Pain
Ear candlesare hollowed-out fabric cones wrapped in wax. Some people claim that burning them at one end while the other is inside the ear can help clear out earwax and debris. There is no proof to back up these claims, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery has strongly cautioned against using ear candles for this purpose.
Summary
Eustachian tube pain has many different causes, from eustachian tube dysfunction to ear infection to nasal obstruction. You will need to treat your specific cause to alleviate the pain. Some conditions can be treated at home, but others require medical treatment.
If you are experiencing the pain but are unsure of the cause, it’s important to see your healthcare provider before beginning any at-home treatments. When you know what the cause is, you will can ten pursue the best course of action for treatment.
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