From the Research
Treatment for eustachian tube dysfunction should prioritize addressing the underlying causes of dysfunction, such as equalizing pressure, reducing inflammation, treating infection, or physically opening the tubes, with the most recent and highest quality study suggesting the use of nasal glucocorticoids and oral antihistamines as an effective treatment option 1.
Treatment Options
- Self-care measures: yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, or performing the Valsalva maneuver to help open the eustachian tubes
- Medical interventions:
- Nasal decongestants like oxymetazoline (Afrin) or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for temporary relief
- Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) for allergy-related cases
- Nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) or mometasone (Nasonex) to reduce inflammation
- Antibiotics for infection-related cases
- Procedures like eustachian tube balloon dilation or placement of pressure equalization tubes (tympanostomy tubes) for persistent cases
Recent Study Findings
A 2020 study found that treatment with nasal glucocorticoids and oral antihistamines significantly improved eustachian tube function in patients with house dust mite-allergic rhinitis 1.
Diagnosis and Treatment Approach
The Eustachian tube score (ETS-5 or ETS-7) can be used for diagnosis, and treatment should be tailored to the underlying cause of dysfunction, with options including steroid nasal sprays, Valsalva maneuver, tube dilation, and causal treatments 2.