The little tubes inside your ears: All about the Eustachian Tubes!

Hello! Have you ever wondered that there are two small tubes inside our ears, running from the middle ear to the nose and throat? That's what we call the Eustachian Tubes . Although these are really small, they are very important for the health of our ears. Sometimes these can cause minor ear discomfort. So, today we will talk in detail and very simply about these Eustachian tubes, their function, possible problems and their solutions.

What is this Eustachian tube?

Simply put, the Eustachian tubes are two small tubes that connect our middle ear , the small cavity behind the eardrum, to the back of our nose and throat . There are two tubes, one for each ear. These are made up of both bone and cartilage.

Doctors sometimes call these auditory tubes , because they are related to hearing. Another name is the pharyngotympanic tube. The name itself indicates that these tubes connect the pharynx to the tympanic membrane . The doctor who first discovered these tubes and explained how they connect the middle ear, nose, and throat was Bartolomeo Eustachi. In his honor, they are called the "Eustachian tube."

If these tubes don't work properly, whether they're too open or too closed, our ears can have a variety of problems. We call this Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) . This is why sometimes the ears feel full or you hear noises coming from inside the ears.

What benefits do Eustachian tubes provide to us?

These two little tubes serve our ears in no small way. They perform three main functions.

1. Removing fluid from the middle ear

Sometimes, fluid can build up in our middle ear. Just like a drain, the Eustachian tube is responsible for draining that unwanted fluid out of the middle ear, into the throat. If this doesn't work properly, fluid can build up in the middle ear and cause an ear infection .

2. Balancing air pressure in the middle ear

You've probably experienced this before. Imagine when you're climbing a mountain, or flying in a plane, or diving, and your ears feel heavy and like they're made of stone. At that moment, we automatically swallow, clear our throats, or open our eyes. When we do that, our ears feel relieved with a "click" sound, right?

This is when we realize the importance of the Eustachian tubes. When we swallow or open our nose, these tubes open. Then a small amount of air enters the middle ear. In this way , the air pressure inside the middle ear is equalized with the air pressure in the environment we are in . Only when these two pressures are equal can our eardrum do its job properly, which means we can hear clearly.

3. Protecting the middle ear

When we are not swallowing or sneezing, the Eustachian tube is closed. This is very important. Because it is closed in this way, it prevents unwanted things like viruses and bacteria that try to enter our nose and throat from entering the middle ear. In other words, this tube acts as a protector for our middle ear.

Where is this Eustachian tube located? How big is it?

We have two Eustachian tubes on either side of our face, connected to our ears. Each tube is typically about 12 millimeters (about half an inch) long and 2-3 millimeters (about one-eighth of an inch) wide. Can you imagine how small that is?

There are two parts to this tube.

• The part closest to the middle ear: This is made of bone and is about 12 millimeters long.
• The part closest to the nose and throat: This is made of cartilage and is about 24 millimeters (a little less than an inch) long.

What are the most common conditions that affect the Eustachian tubes?

The most common problem is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) . This occurs when the Eustachian tubes become inflamed, causing them to not open or close properly.

What are the causes of this situation?

There are several reasons why the Eustachian tubes may become swollen and not function properly.

• Allergies: Some people have allergies to things like dust and pollen. This can cause nasal congestion and swelling of the Eustachian tubes.
• Barotrauma: This occurs when there is a sudden, large change in air pressure, such as when landing an airplane or diving.
• Colds and flu: When you get sick with these illnesses, your nose and throat swell, and the Eustachian tubes can also swell.
• Ear tumors: These are very rare, but they can also be a cause.
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): This is when stomach acid comes up into the throat. These acids can cause the Eustachian tubes to swell.
• Sinusitis: Infections in the nasal cavities (sinuses) can also affect these tubes.

What are the symptoms?

When there is a problem with the Eustachian tubes, various symptoms can occur.

• A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the ears: as if something is stuck inside the ears.
• Muffled or altered hearing: When someone speaks, the words seem unclear, or the voice sounds muffled.
• Hearing a "clicking" or "ticking" sound inside the ears.
• Pain in one or both ears: The pain may feel like an ear infection.
• Tinnitus: A continuous sound that sounds like a "ringing" in the ears .
• Balance problems.
• Dizziness.
• Vertigo: The feeling that the world is spinning around you.
• A ringing sensation in the ears.

These symptoms may sometimes go away on their own within a few days. However, if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you should definitely see a doctor.

When should you see a doctor?

The stuffiness that usually comes with a cold will subside in a few days. But, as I said before,

If you have the above symptoms for more than two weeks, if they are getting worse, or if you have severe pain or severe dizziness, be sure to seek medical advice.

By seeing a doctor without delay, if there is a problem, it can be diagnosed and treated quickly.

How do doctors diagnose Eustachian tube problems?

When you go to a doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms. Then, he will examine your eardrum to see if there is any disease or damage.

Sometimes your doctor will tell you to do something called the Valsalva maneuver . Here's how to do it:

1. Shut up.

2. Close both nostrils with your fingers.

3. Then, breathe out as hard as you can (while closing your mouth and nose).

The doctor can get some idea based on how the ears feel when this is done.

In addition, special tests can be done to see if the Eustachian tubes are opening and closing properly. Remember, these tubes should only open when we open our ears, swallow saliva, and chew food.

Are there any remedies that can be done at home?

Yes, most of the time, these minor Eustachian tube problems can be fixed with simple things you can do at home.

Eustachian tube massage

This is very simple. Here's how to do it:

1. With your finger, find a bony bump behind the earlobe.

2. Now bring your finger down until you feel a groove between the earlobe and the earlobe.

3. Press firmly and apply even pressure, then stroke along the crease down the neck until you reach the collarbone.

4. Do this three times on one side of your head. Then do the same three times on the other side. It is best to do this three times a day.

Other simple remedies

• Chewing gum: This helps unclog the ducts by increasing the frequency of swallowing saliva.
• Clearing the nose: If your nose is stuffy, rinse it out using a saline spray . These can be purchased at pharmacies.
• Taking antihistamines or decongestants : If your sinuses are swollen due to allergies or a cold, you can ask your doctor about taking these medications.
• Opening the door.
• Swallowing saliva.
• Valsalva maneuver: Perform as mentioned above with caution.

What if home remedies don't help?

Many people find relief with the above home remedies. However, sometimes these do not solve the problem. If this happens, your doctor will refer you to an otolaryngologist or ENT specialist . They will do further tests and, if necessary, suggest other treatments.

There are two main treatments for Eustachian tubes:

• Tympanostomy (ear tube placement): In this procedure, a surgeon makes a small hole in your eardrum (also called a myringotomy ) and inserts a small tube through it. This tube provides ventilation to the middle ear and stops fluid from accumulating.
• Eustachian tuboplasty: In this treatment, a small balloon is inserted into the Eustachian tube and inflated to widen the tube.

Earaches and ringing in the ears are not always caused by ear infections. Sometimes the culprit is the Eustachian tubes. These tubes are very important for keeping our middle ear healthy. Things like allergies, colds, and infections can affect the function of these tubes.

The Most Important Thing - Take-Home Message

Okay, so here are some of the most important things you need to remember from what we talked about today:

• The Eustachian tubes are two small tubes that connect our middle ear to our nose and throat.
• These drain fluid from the middle ear, equalize air pressure, and protect the middle ear.
• ETD can occur due to factors such as colds, allergies, and changes in air pressure.
• Symptoms such as ear fullness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and pain may occur.
• Often, these can be cured with simple home remedies like chewing gum and opening an anus.
• However, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks or are severe, it is essential to seek medical advice. Don't delay.

Take care of your ears, because good hearing is one of the most valuable things in life!

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