Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation in Farmington Hills, MI

Michigan Ear Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous conditions affecting the ear and related structures. Eustachian tube dysfunction is just one of many conditions we treat and is estimated to affect up to 5% of the adult population.

We now offer a treatment for eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), which is the inability of the eustachian tube to adequately perform and failure of the valve of the eustachian tube to open and or close properly.

The eustachian tube is the structure that links the nose and the middle ear. When functioning normally, it is a closed tube that opens when we swallow, yawn or chew. The eustachian tube exists to protect the middle ear from disease, to ventilate the middle ear, and to help secretions away from the middle ear.

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What Are The Symptoms?

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs when the small passageway connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat becomes blocked or does not open properly. This can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Fullness of the Ear – Many individuals with ETD experience a sensation of pressure or fullness in one or both ears, similar to the feeling of ears being “plugged” during altitude changes, such as when flying or driving through mountains. This occurs due to improper pressure regulation in the middle ear.
• Pain in the Ear – The dysfunction can cause mild to moderate ear pain or discomfort, particularly if the eustachian tubes become inflamed or infected. This may feel like a dull ache or pressure, and in some cases, sharp pain can develop, especially if the condition leads to fluid buildup behind the eardrum.
• Muffled Hearing – Since the eustachian tubes help equalize pressure and drain fluid from the middle ear, their dysfunction can interfere with normal hearing. Sound may seem dampened, muffled, or distorted, making conversations and environmental noises difficult to perceive clearly. This effect is often temporary but can persist if the condition is chronic or left untreated.

Additional symptoms of ETD may include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, and a popping or clicking sensation when swallowing or yawning. If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

What Are Common Complications from Untreated ETD?

If left untreated, eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) can lead to several complications that may affect hearing, ear health, and overall well-being. Some of the most common complications include:

• Chronic Ear Infections (Otitis Media) – When the eustachian tubes fail to properly drain fluid from the middle ear, it creates an environment where bacteria and viruses can thrive. This can lead to recurrent ear infections, which may cause ear pain, fever, and even temporary hearing loss.
• Hearing Loss – Persistent ETD can result in fluid accumulation behind the eardrum, leading to conductive hearing loss. Sounds may become muffled or distorted, making it difficult to understand speech. In severe or long-term cases, repeated infections and inflammation may cause damage to the middle ear structures, further impacting hearing ability.
• Tympanic Membrane Retraction (Retracted Eardrum) – Due to prolonged negative pressure in the middle ear, the eardrum can become pulled inward, a condition known as tympanic membrane retraction. This can lead to discomfort, hearing issues, and an increased risk of developing a perforated eardrum.
• Ear Barotrauma (Pressure-Related Ear Damage) – Individuals with chronic ETD may be more susceptible to barotrauma, which occurs when there is a significant pressure difference between the middle ear and the external environment. This is common during activities such as flying, scuba diving, or driving through altitude changes. Severe cases can cause pain, dizziness, or even a ruptured eardrum.
• Balance Issues and Dizziness – Since the ears play a critical role in balance, prolonged ETD may contribute to dizziness, unsteadiness, or vertigo. Fluid buildup and pressure imbalances in the middle ear can interfere with the inner ear’s vestibular system, leading to episodes of disequilibrium.
• Cholesteatoma (Abnormal Skin Growth in the Middle Ear) – In rare cases, chronic ETD can contribute to the development of a cholesteatoma, a noncancerous but potentially harmful growth of skin cells in the middle ear. If left untreated, it can erode surrounding structures, leading to hearing loss, chronic infections, and damage to the bones of the middle ear.

What is the Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System?

The ACCLARENT AERA™ system uses a small balloon to treat persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), a condition in which pressure, pain or clogged or muffled sensations occur in the ear. With the ACCLARENT AERA™ system, allows our otolaryngologists to use a small catheter to insert a small balloon through the patient’s nose and into the Eustachian tube. Once inflated, the balloon opens up a pathway for mucus and air to flow through the Eustachian tube and restore function. After the tube is dilated, the balloon is then removed.

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