From the Research
Treatment for eustachian tube dysfunction should prioritize addressing the underlying causes of dysfunction, such as inflammation, fluid buildup, or mechanical obstruction, with the most recent and highest quality study suggesting the use of intranasal Azelastine-Fluticasone spray treatment as an effective initial therapy in children with adenoid hypertrophy and associated eustachian tube dysfunction 1.
Treatment Options
- Self-care measures: yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, or performing the Valsalva maneuver to help open the tubes
- Nasal saline sprays or irrigation to reduce congestion
- Over-the-counter medications: pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) 30-60mg every 4-6 hours or intranasal corticosteroids such as fluticasone (Flonase) 1-2 sprays per nostril daily to reduce inflammation
- Antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin) 10mg daily for allergic causes
- Procedures: eustachian tube balloon dilation, myringotomy, or placement of pressure equalization tubes for persistent cases
Key Considerations
- Adenoid hypertrophy is a frequent cause of obstructive tube dysfunction in children, and treatment with intranasal Azelastine-Fluticasone spray can be effective in regressing adenoid tissue and improving eustachian tube function 1
- Nasal inflammatory disease, such as allergic rhinitis, can contribute to eustachian tube dysfunction, and treatment with nasal glucocorticoids and oral antihistamines can improve symptoms and eustachian tube function 2
- The Eustachian tube score (ETS-5) and Eustachian dysfunction test-7 (ETS-7) can be used to evaluate eustachian tube function, and tubomanometry (TMM) can be used to assess eustachian tube pressure 3