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What Causes Eustachian Tube Blockage Even After Having Valsalva Exercises?

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Posted on Wed, 28 May 2014
Question: Dr. Deepashree
or
Dr. Dadapeer K
Continuation.....
I used the Val Salvo Maneuver and I hold it. I can so well during at that brief moment. But when I let go my ears go back to normal.
Can you explain this.
What is the resolve to my problem?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepashree (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
eustachian tube dysfunction.

Detailed Answer:
Hi sir, thanks for your query.
Normally, eustachian tube opens and closes on yawning, swallowing and on valsalva exercises.
So when you do it , because of air pressure it opens and immediately collapses back.
This is normal. But ET should always be open naturally. Because of some nasal pathology like allergy, deviated septum, nasal poylp, sinus infection the tube opening gets blocked.
Once you treat the nose problem then the tube remains open always.
There is no drug to permanently keep tube open.
Inspire of treating the nose problem , if the tube still has dysfunction then you can try balloon tuboplasty surgery.
This is a recent surgical techniques, where in using endoscope the eustachian tube opening is dilated with a balloon catheter.
Many journals have published it.
I don't have any personal experience in doing it.success rate being 60%.
You can consult your sent specialist, get yourself examined, and discuss the following treatment option with him.
Empirically you take antihistamines with decongestant tablet+ steam inhalation+continue doing valsalva.
Hope I have answered your query. Regards.......

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepashree (19 hours later)
Doc

I really need to fix this problem. What can a Doctor see that will support your findings. I have had a septo-plasty and a rhino-plasty, both of which are more than 20 years old but they never altered my hearing.

Yes - it opens and immediately collapses back. But during that brief few seconds I can hear so very well. Since it is opening and closing during Valsalva, what is clogged? I just need it to stay open. But what is it during Valsalva that stays open and that allows me to hear so well?

So your recommendation is to treat the nose with some form of plasty. And if that doesn't help then have a balloon tuboplasty performed of the ET.

Is this correct?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepashree (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
insertion of ventilation tube / balloon tuboplasty

Detailed Answer:
Hi sir, thanks for your follow up query.
Since you have undergone septorhinoplasty, I dont think you have any problem in the nose which is causing this. So no more nasal surgery needed
The eustachian tube opening on the nasal side must be very narrow and flappy, so it collapses back immediately after doing valsalve.
When ever the eustachian tube opens, then there is good air in middle ear , then you can listen very well
.once the ET tube closes then, there is negative pressure in middle ear then hearing gets reduced.
The treatment option is either dilate the tubal opening, by doing balloon tuboplasty, so that it gets wide and doesn't collapse back, or second option is insert a grommet /
ventilation tube in the ear drum so that the middle is well ventilated to maintain good hearing.
Hope my answers have helped you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepashree (2 days later)
I am not a proponent of the Grommet simple because at my age, my body could reject and push it out tomorrow. I am on a HAS Medical Plan, which one would be less expensive?

YES - You are right. My canals are very narrow so I would assume my ET are as well. My tonsils and adenoids have been removed.

YES - ET does not stay open. But when open can hear find.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepashree (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your follow up query.
Sir, I have shared best of my knowledge to you regarding your query.
There is no more treatment for eustachian tube dysfunction.
If you are not ready for grommet. Fine, go for balloon tuboplasty as this is the only option left.
I also recommend you to get pure tone audiometry and tympanometry done , to know if there are any other problems in ear causing reduced hearing apart from ET dysfunction.
If report is normal with age related hearing loss then you can use hearing aid.
If its again ETDysfunction with negative pressure in middle ear then previous suggested treatment are the only option.
You can discuss my views with your doctor.
If you have no other doubt's, then you can close the query. Wishing you good health. Regards.......
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Deepashree

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 937 Questions

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What Causes Eustachian Tube Blockage Even After Having Valsalva Exercises?

Brief Answer: eustachian tube dysfunction. Detailed Answer: Hi sir, thanks for your query. Normally, eustachian tube opens and closes on yawning, swallowing and on valsalva exercises. So when you do it , because of air pressure it opens and immediately collapses back. This is normal. But ET should always be open naturally. Because of some nasal pathology like allergy, deviated septum, nasal poylp, sinus infection the tube opening gets blocked. Once you treat the nose problem then the tube remains open always. There is no drug to permanently keep tube open. Inspire of treating the nose problem , if the tube still has dysfunction then you can try balloon tuboplasty surgery. This is a recent surgical techniques, where in using endoscope the eustachian tube opening is dilated with a balloon catheter. Many journals have published it. I don't have any personal experience in doing it.success rate being 60%. You can consult your sent specialist, get yourself examined, and discuss the following treatment option with him. Empirically you take antihistamines with decongestant tablet+ steam inhalation+continue doing valsalva. Hope I have answered your query. Regards.......