If ETD is caused by allergies, antihistamines such as Benadryl and Zyrtec may help you find relief. OTC pain relievers like Tylenol and Advil may also help relieve mild pain caused by ETD. If your symptoms last more than two weeks, see a doctor.
We prefer non-drowsy antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Xyzal so you can keep your eyes open during the day. You can look for their generic counterparts — loratadine, cetirizine, and levocetirizine — which are, once again, just as effective and cheaper.
You can do exercises to open up the tubes. This includes swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum. You can help relieve the “full ear” feeling by taking a deep breath, pinching your nostrils closed, and “blowing” with your mouth shut. If you think your baby may have Eustachian tube dysfunction, feed him or her.
On the other hand, antihistamines and decongestants used regularly can also sometimes cause the eustachian tube to be stuck in the open position. The most frequent symptom is an unusual sound to one's own voice.
Over-the-counter medications can help if allergies are causing eustachian tube dysfunction. Try antihistamines (like cetirizine or diphenhydramine) to ease your symptoms. If you have discomfort, pain relievers — such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen — can help.
The following medication can be prescribed to help relieve the symptoms of an inner ear infection: Antihistamines - desloratadine (Clarinex), or over-the-counter options such as loratadine (Claritin), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or fexofenadine (Allegra).
Blocked eustachian tubes can be relieved by nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets, which reduce inflammation and congestion. Recurrent eustachian tube dysfunction requires the surgical placement of tubes in the eardrum, which allows pressure to equalize in the middle ear.
Chronic ETD is unlikely to go away on its own and must be treated by a healthcare professional.
The lining of the Eustachian tube can become swollen and the Eustachian tube can become dysfunctional following the onset of an infectious or inflammatory condition such as an upper respiratory tract infection, allergic rhinitis or rhinosinusitis, leading to difficulties in pressure equalisation, discomfort and other ...
Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose. Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a "pop" when the tubes open to make the pressure equal between the inside and outside of your ears.
Antihistamines, like Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), start working within a few hours. Nasal steroid sprays, like Flonase (fluticasone), can take up to 2 weeks to fully kick in.
However, if air travel cannot be avoided, here are some things that can help prevent ear discomfort due to Eustachian tube dysfunction: Begin taking the over-the-counter decongestant pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®) 24 hours prior to the flight according to the directions on the package.
If the Eustachian tubes become inflamed – typically due to illness or allergies – mucus or fluid can build up. This improper drainage causes the pressure, fullness, pain, and/or hearing changes that characterize the condition.
A common course of treatment for Eustachian tube dysfunction is the use of decongestants or antihistamines. In some cases, this treatment may make the condition worse. If decongestants or antihistamines do not provide relief, contact your doctor. You may need to see an ear, nose and throat specialist for treatment.
Sometimes, your eustachian tubes can become blocked due to colds, allergies or infections. Clogged eustachian tubes may resolve on their own or with the use of decongestants, antibiotics or other medications.
Home remedies
Many people will find temporary relief from ETD pressure buildup by chewing gum or yawning. Another popular method is to close your eyes, plug your nose, and blow air to “pop your ears” to relieve some of that pressure, although you should avoid this if you have a cold.
Most cases of Eustachian tube dysfunction clear up in a few days with the help of over-the-counter medication and home remedies, but symptoms can last one to two weeks. If you're still having symptoms after two weeks, or they're getting worse, you may need more aggressive treatment.
There are four tiny muscles which assist in the opening of the Eustachian tube. One of these, the hammer muscle, is one of the two main muscles in the middle ear. Poor performance of Eustachian tube muscles can be the result of muscular tension or poor muscular tone in the head, neck and jaw areas.
If these tubes aren't functioning as expected, pressure imbalances and infections can result in symptoms that may include: Temporary ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Dizziness or vertigo. Headaches.
“Zyrtec is found to be more potent, or stronger, in laboratory studies, compared with Claritin,” says Dr. Kung. “It also reaches a higher concentration in the skin, which can be more helpful for skin-related allergies. However, Zyrtec has a greater chance of making you sleepy while taking it.”
Some types of antihistamines can cause ototoxicity, and this adverse reaction to the drug may affect the inner ear or the auditory nerves. A nationwide study in 2021 indicated that people who were prescribed medications with cimetidine, hydroxyzine, and sucralfate were more likely to develop hearing loss.
Pop Your Ears
Popping your ears can help open the eustachian tube, allowing fluid to drain. The simplest way to pop your ears is to yawn, chew, or swallow. You may also want to try popping your ears using something called the Valsalva maneuver: Take a deep breath and hold it.
Could feel the medicine starting to work 15-30min after I took it. Cleared up my ear for 12 hours. Also cleared up congestion in my nose.