Imagine driving through the mountains without ear pain or pressure, or not suffering through take off and landing on a flight…
That kind of relief is possible for our patients thanks to Eustachian Tube Dilation.
The eustachian tube is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, which consists of the upper throat and the back of the nasal cavity. The Eustachian Tubes are responsible for equalizing ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, the part of the ear behind the eardrum. The eustachian tubes are usually closed except for when you chew, swallow, or yawn.
Blocked eustachian tubes can cause pain, hearing difficulties, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. Such a phenomenon is referred to as eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). It is estimated to affect up to 5% of the adult population.
Patients suffering from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction typically report having ear pain or pressure during take-offs and landings of airplanes or driving in the mountains.
With the new Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System, Dr. Douglas Holmes inserts a small balloon into the Eustachian Tube via the patient’s nose.
Once within the Eustachian Tube, the balloon is inflated in order to create an open pathway for mucus and air to flow through the tube. After a pathway is opened, Dr. Holmes will deflate and remove the balloon.
Prior to this new treatment option, treatment options for ETD were limited to medication and ear tube surgery, which helped to relieve symptoms, but were unable to provide relief from severe complications. In medical studies, the Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation procedure has shown to drastically reduce the need for ear tubes and other ear surgeries.
