Not all hearing problems are caused by damage to your inner ear. Sometimes, the issue is mechanical — and tied to something you’ve never heard of: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD).
What Is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
The eustachian tubes help equalize pressure and drain fluid from the middle ear. If they become blocked, the result is often:
- A feeling of fullness in the ears
- Muffled hearing
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Trouble hearing during flights or altitude changes
Why It Feels Like Hearing Loss
ETD doesn’t usually cause permanent damage, but it can affect how sound moves through the ear. Fluid buildup or pressure can reduce the movement of the eardrum, making everything sound muffled or distant.
That’s why many patients who visit us for hearing concerns actually need to see an ENT — because the problem starts in the sinuses.
How We Help
At National Hearing & Balance, we begin with a thorough hearing and middle ear function evaluation. Our goal is to determine:
- Whether hearing loss is present
- If the middle ear is functioning properly
- If symptoms are caused by pressure or sinus-related issues
When we identify signs of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, we often collaborate with our partners at the National Sinus Institute. Their ENT specialists can evaluate and treat the underlying sinus conditions contributing to your ear pressure or hearing symptoms.
Get the Answers You Need
If your hearing suddenly feels “off,” don’t wait — let’s find out what’s really going on. Whether it’s true hearing loss or a sinus-related issue like ETD, we’re here to guide you toward the right solution.
Request your hearing evaluation today — and take the first step toward hearing clearly again.
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